Is a laboratory sleep study necessary for diagnosing insomnia?
No. An over-night stay in the sleep laboratory is not necessary for a diagnosis of insomnia. However, sometimes a sleep study will be recommended in order to rule out another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or periodic limb movement disorder. A sleep study is also recommended when sleep is not refreshing despite of an adequate length. Sleep specialists who oversee over-night sleep studies usually practice in a sleep center.
