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Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
A
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is conducted along with a
polysomnogram to determine the level of daytime sleepiness after
treatment for narcolepsy or sleep apnea. This test is generally
used for commercial drivers, pilots and people who work around
heavy equipment to evaluate their ability to perform their job
safely.
The test is usually done immediately after an overnight study.
Patients will remain wired with most of the wires from the
polysomnogram done the night before. A series of 4 “naps” are
taken at two-hour intervals. Each nap requires the patient to sit
in a chair for 40 minutes and try to remain awake. The test is
usually done by 5 p.m. There is little or no discomfort from the
MWT.
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