Sleep Study Test: Diagnosis, Procedure & Cost

What is a Sleep Study Test or Polysomnography?

A Sleep Study Test is an overnight diagnostic procedure used to detect and evaluate various sleep disorders. This test, often referred to as sleep study meaning sleep diagnostics, helps physicians understand what’s disrupting your rest and overall health.

A Sleep Study Test is primarily used to diagnose Sleep Apnea, commonly known as obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Medically, a Sleep Study Test is also known as Polysomnography, or PSG for short, and it remains the gold-standard method for identifying sleep-related breathing and movement disorders.

What is the Procedure of the Sleep Study Test?

Sleep Study Test Procedure: During a Sleep Study Test, the patient sleeps overnight while connected to specialized monitoring equipment.

This machine records multiple physiological parameters throughout the night, including brain activity, oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing patterns, and body movements.

Once the Sleep Study Test is complete, the collected data is analyzed, and a detailed report is prepared and shared with the patient to guide diagnosis and treatment.

Sleep Study Test: Types, Procedure, Cost & Diagnosis Process

A Sleep Study Test can be categorized based on different parameters, such as where it’s conducted and the level of monitoring involved:

Hospital-Based Sleep Study (Polysomnography): In this process, the patient is admitted to the hospital, and technicians hook up the device for overnight monitoring. Data is recorded throughout the night, and a report is generated afterward. This type of Sleep Study Test can involve either live monitoring or data recording, depending on the facility.
Home Sleep Test (Polysomnography): In this process, a technician brings the sleep test machine to the patient’s home and sets up the device. Depending on requirements, the technician’s stay may be necessary. This type of Sleep Study Test equipment may not capture live data, but reports can still be generated from the recorded information.

Levels/Types of Sleep Study

Level 1 Polysomnography: Considered the gold standard, this Sleep Study Test is mainly performed in a hospital or dedicated sleep lab. It involves live monitoring and data recording, and may include audio/video recording based on the clinician’s requirements.
Level 2 Polysomnography: This is the most commonly prescribed Sleep Study Test in Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and across India. It is typically conducted at the patient’s home for added comfort. Audio and video recording is generally not possible with this type, and a technician’s stay may be required depending on requirements.
Level 3 Sleep Study: Also widely used, this is a basic version of the Sleep Study Test that provides limited data but remains an easy and effective tool for diagnosing OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). A small device is hooked up at the patient’s home, requiring no audio/video recording or technician stay.

Sleep Study Test Cost or Polysomnography Price in Delhi NCR

Sleep Study Test cost varies based on the level of test and whether it’s conducted at a hospital or at home. Approximate pricing for a Sleep Study Test is as follows:

Price of Sleep Study Test (Polysomnography Cost)
	Level 3 Sleep Study	Level 2 Sleep Study (Polysomnography)	Level 1 Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
Delhi	INR 2500-INR 3500	INR 8000- INR 10000	INR 15000-INR 35000
Noida	INR 2500-INR 3500	INR 7500-INR 9500	INR 11000-INR 20000
Gurgaon/Gurugram	INR 3000-INR 5000	INR 9000-INR 10000	INR 15000-INR 25000
Faridabad	INR 2500-INR 3500	INR 7500-INR 9500	INR 12000-INR 18000
Ghaziabad	INR 2500-INR 3500	INR 7500-INR 9500	INR 12000-INR 18000

Which Type of Machines are Used for Sleep Study Test?

All three levels of the Sleep Study Test require different types of sleep study machines. While numerous brands of sleep study equipment are available in the market, global brands like Sefam, Somnomedics, ResMed & Philips are considered accurate and sensitive enough to deliver reliable data recording for a Sleep Study Test.

Sleep Study Equipment and Machines

Different companies may have different applications and designs for their Sleep Study Test machines. A home Sleep Study Test device may look quite different from a hospital-based Sleep Study Test machine, depending on the manufacturer and the level of monitoring required. Below is how different sleep test machines typically look:

Level 1 Sleep Study Test/ Polysomnography:

Level 2 Sleep Study Test/ Polysomnography:

Level 3 Sleep Study Test:

Is Sleep Study Test or Polysomnography Covered in Insurance in India?

A Sleep Study Test is not mandatorily covered under all insurance policies. Coverage depends on your insurance company and the specific plan you’ve purchased. It’s advisable to check directly with your insurance provider to confirm whether a Sleep Study Test is included in your policy.

However, for Central Govt. employees, the approved limit for a Sleep Study Test is up to INR 9000 when conducted at empanelled hospitals.

Comparison Between Home Sleep Study Test Vs Hospital Based Sleep Study Test

	Home Sleep Study Test		Hospital Based Sleep Study Test
Parameters Checked / Other Factors	Level 3 Sleep Study Test	Level 2 Sleep Study Test (Polysomnography)	Level 1 Sleep Study Test (Polysomnography)
AHI	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sleep Efficiency	No	Yes	Yes
Sleep Stages	No	Yes	Yes
Snoring Events	Yes	Yes	Yes
SpO₂ (Oxygen Level)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arousal Index	No	Yes	Yes
Heart Activity	No	Yes	Yes
Leg Movements	No	Yes	Yes
Pulse	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flow Limitations	Yes	Yes	Yes
Body Position	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pressure Titration	No	Yes	Yes
Home Comfort	Yes	Yes	No
Pricing	INR 2,500 – INR 4,500	INR 7,500 – INR 10,000	INR 12,000 – INR 35,000
Device Used	Easy	Easy	Complex
Accuracy	Yes	Yes	Yes
Duration	8 Hrs	8 Hrs	8 Hrs

Sleep Study Test Results & Report Interpretation: Parameters, AHI & Diagnosis

A Sleep Study Test (Polysomnography or PSG) provides a comprehensive analysis of your sleep. The results of a Sleep Study Test are interpreted using the following parameters:

AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index): Indicates the per-hour blockage occurring during sleep
Snoring Index: Indicates the per-hour average of snoring events
Sleep Latency: The time taken by the brain to transition from wakefulness to sleep onset
Sleep Stages: The breakdown of sleep into different stages such as N1, N2, N3 & REM
Sleep Efficiency: Measures how efficient the overall sleep was
Oxygen Saturation: Tracks oxygen levels throughout sleep, especially during apnea events
Arousal Index: Indicates arousals caused by apneas
Heart Activity: Records the heartbeat pattern during sleep
Leg Movements: Tracks leg movements during sleep and whether they caused any arousals, which a Sleep Study Test is designed to capture.

What is the Home Sleep Study Test Procedure? Step-by-Step Process & What to Expect

A common question patients ask is: what happens during a Sleep Study Test, and what should you expect on the day of testing? A Sleep Study Test is essentially a check-up of your sleep pattern, so patients are advised to follow their normal routine as closely as possible.

For a home-based Sleep Study Test, patients can continue their meals and medications as per their regular schedule. If you have an exercise routine, you can follow that too.

A technician will visit the patient’s home 30-60 minutes before their usual sleep time. Setting up the machine for the Sleep Study Test typically takes 30-45 minutes. If you opt for a full-night diagnosis, the technician will leave and return in the morning to collect the equipment. If you choose a split-night study, the technician’s stay may be required throughout the night.

Book Home Sleep Study
↓
Sleep technician visits your home
30–60 minutes before bedtime
for device setup
↓
Sleep comfortably at home
with the sleep study equipment
throughout the night
↓
Remove the device in the morning
and return it or schedule pickup
↓
Receive your Sleep Study Report
within 12–24 hours

What is a sleep lab?

A sleep lab is a specific setup in a hospital or clinic. It is designed for Sleep Study Test procedures, also known as polysomnography.

A trained sleep technologist runs the sleep lab. This technologist performs the Sleep Study Test on patients and monitors them throughout the night.

Who is a sleep specialist in India?

India does not have a dedicated super-speciality for sleep-related breathing disorders. However, several specialists can guide you. These include Pulmonologists, Chest Physicians, ENTs, Neurologists, Psychiatrists, and General Physicians. Any of them can recommend and interpret a Sleep Study Test.

Sleep Disorder Diagnosis: Conditions Diagnosed Through Sleep Studies

A common question patients ask is: what does a Sleep Study Test actually diagnose?

A Sleep Study Test (Polysomnography/PSG) is used to identify sleep-related breathing disorders. It also detects other sleep-related issues.

Most commonly, doctors use a Sleep Study Test to diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea. But that’s not all. This test also helps diagnose Restless Leg Syndrome, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and Narcolepsy.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis: Tests, Symptoms & Detection Methods

Obstructive Sleep Apnea occurs when breathing repeatedly stops. This happens due to an obstruction in the upper airway. A Sleep Study Test helps detect this condition early.

Watch out for these key symptoms:

Loud snoring
Observed apneas (breathing pauses)
Lack of freshness during the day
Morning headaches
Nocturnal urination
Sleepiness while driving

How do you diagnose OSA?

Doctors diagnose OSA using a Level 2 or Level 3 Sleep Study Test. You can take this test at home. Or you can complete it at a hospital, depending on your needs.