Glossary / Lexicon

Polysomnography is a diagnostic test used to study a person's sleep patterns and detect sleep disorders. It involves monitoring and recording various physiological variables during sleep, such as brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns.

Here are some examples of variables monitored during polysomnography:

1. Electroencephalography (EEG): Measures brain waves to detect different stages of sleep and any abnormalities in the sleep pattern.

2. Electromyography (EMG): Monitors muscle activity, especially in the chin and legs, to detect muscle tone changes during sleep.

3. Electrooculography (EOG): Measures eye movements during sleep, which can be used to detect rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

4. ECG or EKG: Monitors heart rate and rhythm to detect any heart problems that may be related to sleep disorders.

5. Respiratory effort: Measures chest and abdominal movements during breathing to detect any breathing problems, such as sleep apnea.

6. Oxygen saturation: Measures the amount of oxygen in the blood during sleep to detect any breathing problems.

Some similar diagnostic tests used in psychology are:

1. Electroencephalography (EEG): EEG is also used to diagnose other neurological disorders such as seizures, stroke, and dementia.

2. Electromyography (EMG): EMG is used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders, such as ALS, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis.

3. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): ECG is used to diagnose heart problems such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and heart failure.

4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is used to diagnose a range of disorders that affect the brain, such as tumors, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

5. Computed Tomography (CT): CT scans are used to diagnose various disorders, such as traumatic brain injuries, stroke, and tumors.

6. Electrodermal Activity (EDA): EDA measures the electrical conductance of the skin, which can be used to detect emotional responses and stress levels in psychological research.