What is an MWT and why is it used?
A maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) helps in testing the patient’s ability to stay awake and alert in a quiet, calm, and subdued environment. This test is often used in the Airline and Transportation Industry. An overnight Polysomnography may or may not be ordered prior to the MWT. The patient is asked to dress in street clothes, sit quietly in a recliner in a dimly lit room. Television, radio, and cell phones are not allowed in use while testing. The tests are offered in a series of four, 40 minute opportunities, with two hour intervals.
What can I expect during an MWT?
During the MWT, EEG electrodes are attached to the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain. You will then be asked to sit in a dimly-lit room with a bed or comfortable chair and to remain awake for as long as you can. Each section of the testing will run for 40 minutes or until you fall asleep for more than 90 seconds.
What do the results indicate?
The test results will help your healthcare provider evaluate the average time it takes you to fall asleep in the MWT environment. If you fall asleep quicker than the average, you may be diagnosed with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. Certain occupations may also have certain cutoffs for falling asleep before being considered dangerous.