The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a specialist daytime sleep study used to measure how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment and whether you enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep unusually early.
At Independent Physiological Diagnostics (IPD), we provide MSLT testing across the UK. Every study is performed by experienced sleep physiologists and reported by consultant sleep physicians, ensuring accurate results and expert clinical interpretation.
What Does the MSLT Involve?
The MSLT is carried out after an overnight video polysomnography (vPSG) to confirm sleep quality and quantity before testing. During the test, you take a series of five nap opportunities spaced two hours apart. In each session, you
Lie in a dark, quiet room and attempt to fall asleep.
Are monitored for brain activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), and muscle tone (EMG)
End the trial if you do not fall asleep within 20 minutes, or continue for up to 15 minutes if sleep occurs to check for REM onset.
MSLT is used to diagnose narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnolence
Why Is the MSLT Important?
The MSLT is considered the gold standard for objectively evaluating excessive daytime sleepiness and is essential for diagnosing:
- Narcolepsy Type 1 and Type 2
- Idiopathic hypersomnia
It is often used when patients report unrefreshing sleep, sudden sleep attacks, or ongoing daytime fatigue that isn’t explained by other conditions or overnight sleep studies alone.
Who Should Be Referred for a MSLT?
You may be referred for an MSLT if you experience:
Ongoing daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep
Sudden episodes of falling asleep (“sleep attacks”)
Suspected narcolepsy, particularly with cataplexy, sleep paralysis, or vivid hallucinations
Severe, unexplained fatigue that has not improved with treatment
If these symptoms sound familiar, we provide a Multiple Sleep Latency Test to give you a clear, clinically accurate diagnosis and guide the most effective treatment plan.
Where and How IPD Performs the MSLT
The MSLT is traditionally conducted in a specialist clinic following an overnight vPSG. IPD is the only service in the UK able to offer the MSLT in the comfort of your own home, providing a more familiar and less stressful environment for testing.
Our physiologists guide you through the day, monitor each nap trial, and ensure you are comfortable at every stage. Results are reviewed and reported by our consultant sleep physicians, delivering an accurate diagnosis and clear recommendations for treatment.
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Expert Sleep Diagnostics from IPD
IPD combines advanced diagnostic technology with a patient-focused approach to deliver accurate, timely answers. Whether you are being evaluated for narcolepsy or another sleep disorder, our team works closely with your referring clinician to guide the next steps in your care.
Need to arrange an MSLT or refer a patient? Contact IPD today to discuss your diagnostic needs.
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