What is considered an artifact in polysomnography?

In polysomnography, an artifact refers to any electrical signals that interfere with the clarity or interpretation of the desired biological signals, such as brain waves, muscle activity, or respiratory patterns. When conducting sleep studies, it is essential to obtain accurate readings of the physiological signals to diagnose sleep disorders. Artifacts can arise from various sources, including external electrical interference, movement of the patient, or issues with the equipment.

Recognizing artifacts is crucial because they can mimic or obscure important signals, making it difficult to accurately analyze sleep stages and physiological responses. By understanding what constitutes an artifact, polysomnography technicians and sleep medicine practitioners can take steps to minimize or correct these disturbances during the assessment process.

This concept emphasizes the importance of having clean, interpretable data in sleep studies, ensuring that the clinician can effectively diagnose and treat sleep disorders based on reliable findings.