MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test)

The MWT is designed to test the ability of a person to stay awake when all stimulation has been removed. The test is conducted by attaching the same sensors used for the MSLT test (above). The patient is then asked to sit in a comfortable lounger or sit up in bed. The lights are dimmed and the door is closed. The patient is then asked to remain awake without any stimulation for forty minutes (no reading, television, singing to yourself, wiggling your feet, etc.) The trial ends when the patient falls asleep or after forty minutes. The patient is then free to resume normal activities. This is repeated every two hours for a total of four trials.