What is the standard paper speed for a polysomnography recording?

The standard paper speed for a polysomnography recording is typically set at 10 mm/sec. This speed is used because it provides a balance between the clarity of waveforms and the ability to visualize the various components of sleep architecture effectively. At this speed, the technician can observe the details of brain wave activity, muscle tone, and other physiological signals over a suitable timeline, facilitating accurate analysis and interpretation of the sleep study data.

Opting for a different speed may lead to either overly compressed data, making it difficult to discern specific events, or excessively spaced data, which could result in missed details critical for diagnosis. Therefore, the choice of 10 mm/sec as a standard aligns well with the requirements for detailed polysomnographic analysis.