Patient Information-MWT V 1.01 | Jan 2018 Page 1 of 2
Sleep Disorders Unit
ST VINCENT’S HOSPITAL
SYDNEY
P 02 8382 3593
F 02 8382 4286
INFORMATION
for your
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
(MWT)
The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) provides an objective measure of your ability to remain awake for
a defined period of time. As this ability can be influenced by many factors, it is very important that you strictly
adhere to the following instructions prior to, and during the test.
TEST PROCEDURE
The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is generally performed on the day following an overnight sleep
study to ensure you have had adequate sleep quantity and quality the night before. In some instances,
however, your referring Physician may have not considered this to be necessary.
The MWT consists of a series of four 40-minute test sessions, separated by two-hour intervals.
During each session you will be instructed to try to stay awake as long as you can. Your EEG (electrical activity
of your brain) will be monitored during each session which will be conducted with you seated in a dimly lit room.
In the two-hour interval between sessions it’s very important that you remain awake, as any inadvertent sleep
during this time may affect your ability to remain awake on the subsequent sessions. During these intervals
you can watch TV, read or bring something to work on.
TEST START TIME
Following your overnight sleep study some of the electrodes/sensors used overnight, but no longer required for
the MWT, will be removed and you will be asked to change from your night attire into your normal day clothes.
The electrodes applied to your face/head will remain attached for the MWT.
The MWT is commenced between 1.5 and 3 hours following the end of your overnight sleep study. During this
intervening period it is again essential that you remain awake and out of bed.
The overnight sleep study will generally be ended at 7:00am and the MWT commenced between 9:00-10:00am
CAFFEINE & NICOTINE
As caffeine and nicotine are stimulants we ask that you don’t have any caffeine-containing food or drinks on the
day of the MWT. This includes coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, cola, and also guarana-containing drinks such as
You will be able to smoke (outside the hospital grounds) on the day of your study; however, we will ask that you
stop smoking 30 minutes before each test.
SLEEP DIARY
During the two weeks prior to your MWT your Physician may have asked you to complete a sleep diary to
provide information about your normal sleep pattern. Please ensure you bring your completed diary to your
sleep study appointment.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Should you wish to bring any additional snacks please ensure that any
foods or drinks you bring do not contain caffeine, alcohol or guarana.
MEDICATIONS
A list of common medications which have stimulant or sedative properties is attached. As a stimulant or
sedative may affect your ability to stay awake please check with your referring Physician whether you need to
discontinue these medications prior to your MWT.
As it takes approximately two weeks for a drug to be eliminated from your body, you will generally need to start
reducing your medication dose two weeks prior to the test, and then, stop taking the medication completely, one
week prior to the test. This gradual reduction in dosage is necessary to avoid withdrawal side-effects. Continue
to take any other medications (not listed) at your normal dose or as requested by your referring Physician.
NOTE: In cases where your referring Physician has requested the MWT be performed to assess your
response to a stimulant medication you are taking, continue to take that medication at your normal dose
PAIN RELIEF: Standard doses of Panadol or Ibuprofen are permitted for pain relief. Codeine is not permitted.
Patient Information-MWT V 1.01 | Jan 2018 Page 2 of 2
Commonly used centrally acting drugs generally discontinued for the MWT. Please confirm instructions with your Referring Physician.
STIMULANTS SEDATIVES
OTHER MEDICATIONS
Generic Name Brand Name Generic Name Brand Name Generic Name Brand Name
Dexamphetamine Nitrazepam Alodorm, Mogadon Moclobemide Aurorix, Arima, Clobemix,
Maosig
Ritalin Methylphenidate
hydrochloride
Temazepam Euhypnos, Nocturne,
Normison, Temaze, Temtabs
Phenelzine sulfate Nardil
Modafinil Modavigil Triazolam Halcion Tranylcypromine sulfate Parnate
OPIOIDS Flunitrazepam Hypnodorm
Midazolam Hypnovel
Codeine Panadeine (forte),
Nurofen Plus
Nortriptyline Allegron
Oxycodone Percocet, Oxycontin Zolpidem Stilnox Clomipramine Anafranil, Clopram, Placil
Fentanyl Amitriptyline Endep, Tryptanol
Morphine Oxazepam Alepam, Murelax, Serepax Imipramine Melipramine, Tofranil
Propoxyphene Alprazolam Alprazolam-BC, Kalma, Xanax Trimipramine Surmontil
Pethidine Demerol Diazepam Antenex, Ducene, Valium,
Valpam
Dothiepin Prothiaden, Dothep
Hydrocodone Lortab, Vicodin Lorazepam Ativan Doxepin Sinequan, Deptran
Clobazam Frisium Mianserin Tolvon, Lumin
Hydromorphone Dilaudid Bromazepam Lexotan Lexapro Escitalopram
Oxymorphone Opana Paroxetine Aropax, Paxtine, Roxatine
Methadone
Heroin
Fluoxetine
Auscap, Erocap, Lovan,
Fluohexal, Prozac, Zactin
Tramadol Citalopram Cipramil, Talohexal
Fluvoxamine Faverin, Luvox
Sertraline Zoloft
Nefazodone Serzone
Venlafaxine Efexor
Abilify
Bupropion Zyban
