What aspect of sleep might be tracked with a sleep study?

A sleep study, also known as polysomnography, primarily focuses on monitoring various physiological parameters during sleep, which includes tracking muscle tone. Muscle tone is significant in understanding sleep stages, particularly during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, where the body experiences atonia, a temporary paralysis of most voluntary muscles. This aspect allows sleep technologists to differentiate between different sleep stages and assess disorders like REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, where muscle tone is not adequately suppressed.

While cognitive performance and emotional stability are indirectly related to sleep and can be studied through various other methodologies, they are not primary focuses of a sleep study. These factors may be influenced by the quality and quantity of sleep but are not directly measured in the context of a polysomnography exam. Thus, the emphasis on muscle tone within a sleep study indicates its critical role in accurately diagnosing sleep disorders and understanding sleep architecture.