Revised recommendations for computer-based sleep recording and analysis

Sleep recording is the quantitative method used in sleep centers in order to assess sleep disorders and to quantify pathological events occurring during sleep. Cardiorespiratory polysomnography is the method used for sleep recording. Standards for sleep recording stem back to 1968 and were compiled by Rechtschaffen and Kales with specifications for recording and analysis of the sleep EEG. An update considering digital technology and possibly computer based analysis techniques was needed. As the result of a two year process with a large committee in 2007 a revised manual was published. The manual includes for the first specifications for digital signals acquisition and some descriptions for developing computer based sleep analysis. The new manual was prepared using the formal tools of evidence based medicine. The method for preparing the new manual are presented critically the results relevant for computer based sleep recording and analysis are presented in detail and perspectives for computer based sleep analysis are pointed out.