How is total recording time in sleep studies typically calculated?

Total recording time in sleep studies is typically calculated by determining the duration from when the lights are turned on to when the lights are turned off. This approach captures the entire period during which the patient is monitored, encompassing all stages of sleep and wakefulness. It provides a comprehensive overview of the subject's sleep characteristics, rather than just focusing on sleep duration or specific sleep stages like REM sleep.

Calculating total recording time in this way is essential for evaluating the overall sleep architecture and understanding patterns of sleep onset, disturbances, and cycles of sleep stages. Thus, it allows practitioners to gather more data about the patient's sleep behavior and adjust interpretations of various sleep parameters accordingly.