Sleep Study Report and Results: December 2012
I was able to capture a couple (potentially incomplete) screenshots from the electronically provided Sleep Study report that Ryan underwent just over two weeks ago. IBRF, who ordered the study, hasn’t spoken to us yet about what it all means. So, this is my analysis (i.e., guess). I’m very interested in what you might make of all this.
You probably don’t need to see the screenshots unless you have a specific interest. I summarized it all for you! Even better, not only did I provide descriptions of each measurement, but also placed it in column-format aside the 2011 study for comparison. Anyhow, just click on the following link, if so inclined: Sleep Study 12.12.12.
First, it is worthwhile to get a better understanding of how we sleep. Specifically, the four distinct stages we go through to make up one cycle. This happens all night (for “normal” people), where we move through complete cycles many times. The typical cycle last between ninety minutes and two hours.
Here is a graphical representation that I think works well in explaining it:
THE 4 STAGES OF A SLEEP CYCLE
Now, the following table is how Ryan slept each time the study was performed. Mind you, this is not part of the official report. It’s what I put together on this website for everyone’s review. I actually don’t even have another copy of this, so you’re seeing what I’m seeing. By the way, I always do this because it’s important that I am open with you. I just can’t tell you how many times my approach has prompted valuable suggestions!
| Measurement | Description | Scale | Oct. 2011 | Dec. 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMI | Index relating weight to height; a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by height in meters squared. It does not actually measure the percentage of body fat. | <18.5%: Underweight 18.5%-24.9%: Normal Weight 25.0%-29.9%: Overweight >30%: Obese | 23.0% | 22.6% |
| Minutes in Bed (MIB) | Total minutes from beginning to end of study. | N/A | 390 minutes | 442 minutes |
| Minutes Asleep (MA) | Time in any one of the four sleep stages. | N/A | 283.5 minutes | 390.5 minutes |
| Sleep Efficiency (= MA ÷ MIB) | A simple calculation, expressed as a percentage, where Minutes Asleep (MA) is divided by Minutes in Bed (MIB). | >85%: Normal | 73% (283.5 ÷ 390) | 88.3% (390.5 ÷ 442) |
| Sleep Latency | The minutes it takes to fall asleep once the study begins. | >5 but <20: Normal | 1.0 | N/A (Ryan was asleep at onset) |
| REM Latency | The minutes it takes to reach the initial REM stage. | >70 but <120: Normal | 110 minutes | 113.5 minutes |
| Sleep Architecture | The percentage of time spent in each sleep stage. | Stage I: 3%-5% Stage II: 50%-60% Stage III: 10%-20% REM: 10%-25% | 25.6% (72 min) 58.9% (167 min) 13.9% (39 min) 1.6% (5 min) | 1.7% (7 min) 93.3% (364 min) 4.4% (17 min) 0.6% (2 min) |
| Snoring | Detected/None Detected | None Detected | None Detected | |
| AHI: Apnea Hypoapnea Index | Index of sleep apnea severity that combines apneas and hypopneas. | <5: Normal 6-15: Mild 16-30: Moderate >30: Severe | 0 | 2.5 |
| Average Heart Rate (bpm) | Beats per minute (bpm) | Not Defined | 84 bpm | 64 bpm |
| EKG Heart Rhythms | Sinus rhythm is the normal beating of the heart. | Sinus Rhythm: Normal | Sinus Rhythm: Normal | Sinus Rhythm: Normal |
| Spontaneous Arousals (Average per Hour) | An abrupt change not related to respiratory events, limb movements, snoring, etc). | <5: Normal 5-15: Mild 15-30: Moderate >30: Severe | 8 | 12 |
I like the fact that Ryan’s overall sleep is significantly more efficient; improving over 15% from last year. I also like that he is capable of achieving REM, but worry about how infrequently he achieves it and how little time he spends in that vital stage. I’m encouraged that he spends less time in Stage 1 (light/transition sleep), but would like to see at least twice as much time in Stage 3 (deep sleep). All that time in Stage 2, albeit better than Stage 1 — from a sleep perspective — makes me wonder if this might be his brain “hibernating”. What if this is his level of consciousness… no matter the time of day? If this is so, then I’d take Stage 1 because he’d be closer to awake!
I’ll try not to over-think this and sit tight until the IBRF doctors give their insight.
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Good improvement in sleeping efficiency and a more restful heart pace. That’s great!
The results sound very encouraging to me!
Thank you, Ken. I really appreciate your willingness to share this kind of information about Ryan. It is always interesting and insightful.
Ken ,Your analysis sounds pretty good and thank you for sharing .Waiting for IBRF results
love to Ryan and you all Gail
Hi Ken, I looked at all the info at the link and found it very interesting. I realized that I cannot make proper sense of it the way you can (surprise!). I was very encouraged by your observation that Ryan’s overall sleep efficiency has improved by 15%! That’s great news!
I wouldn’t want to see results for my sleeping — I wake up too much/toss and turn all night. I wonder how many people actually achieve what’s considered to be “normal” during a sleep study. It would be interesting to see the variation in different people. I appreciate you sharing this data with us.
Sending you, Ryan, Sue and Kari love and hugs, and wishes for a good weekend. Lifting a toast all the progress Ryan has made, and all the progress he will continue to make in the new year!
Love, hope, prayers always – Paula
Thanks for sharing…. I read all your postings. I didn’t know Ryan personally but holds a special place in my heart. God Bless you and your family and for being so string for him.