What is an actigraph used for in sleep assessment?

An actigraph is a device specifically designed to monitor physical activity and sleep/wake patterns over extended periods. It typically takes the form of a wrist-worn accelerometer, which records the movement and rest of the individual it is monitoring. By analyzing the data collected, healthcare professionals can gain insights into the user's sleep patterns, such as the amount of time spent asleep, periods of wakefulness, and overall activity levels throughout the day and night.

The ability to track these patterns is particularly useful in sleep medicine, as it provides both subjective and objective data on a patient's sleep behaviors. This data can help in diagnosing sleep disorders, identifying sleep habits, and measuring the effectiveness of treatments. The long-term monitoring capability sets the actigraph apart from other devices that typically assess sleep over shorter time frames or in a clinical environment.