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Frequently asked questions
WHAT IS ACTIGRAPHY?
Actigraphy is a method non-invasive for continuous monitoring of activity and rest cycles. Using a device similar to a wristwatch with an accelerometer, it records the user’s movement over the course of days or weeks.
This data makes it possible to estimate sleep and wake patterns, including sleep start and end times, total sleep time, nocturnal awakenings and variations in circadian rhythm. Some models also collect ambient light and temperature data to enrich the analysis.
Although it doesn’t replace the gold standard of polysomnography, actigraphy offers a practical, low-cost and less intrusive solution, ideal for assessments in a natural environment and for prolonged periods of time
WHAT MEASUREMENTS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE ACTIGRAPH?
Condor Instruments provides a comprehensive set of essential data to accurately analyze sleep patterns, physical activity, and biological rhythms. The main data available includes:
Periods of sleep and wakefulness: times when the user falls asleep, wakes up and stays awake during the night.
Total sleep duration: time actually slept during the monitored period.
Night-time awakenings: the number and duration of times the user wakes up during sleep.
Sleep efficiency: percentage of time in bed that the user actually slept.
Movement and physical activity: intensity and frequency of movements during the day and night, recorded by the accelerometer.
Exposure to light: data on the intensity and type of light (melanopic, photopic, infrared) that the user receives throughout the day, which is important for circadian rhythm studies.
Off-wrist detection: identifies when the device has been removed, ensuring data reliability.
Circadian rhythm parameters: analysis of biological cycles related to sleep, activity and light, helping to assess biological rhythm disorders.
All this data is integrated and processed in the ActStudio software which generates clear and detailed reports for clinical use, research and personalized monitoring
I NEED THE SOFTWARE
To request our software and obtain more information, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Our team will be happy to help you with anything you need!
HOW ARE ACTIGRAPHY AND POLYSOMNOGRAPHY RELATED?
A polysomnography and actigraphy are two fundamental tools for analyzing sleep, each with specific characteristics that, when used together, offer a more complete view of the quality and patterns of an individual’s sleep.
Polysomnography is considered the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders. It is usually carried out in specialized laboratories and allows detailed monitoring of various physiological variables during sleep, such as brain activity (EEG), eye movements, breathing, heartbeat, blood oxygenation, among others. As it is a more complex and invasive test, it is usually carried out over just one or two nights.
Actigraphy is a non-invasive method that uses wristwatch-like devices to record the user’s movements over several days or weeks. Using movement, light and temperature data, actigraphy makes it possible to estimate sleep and wake times, sleep duration, sleep regularity and other parameters related to the circadian rhythm, all in the patient’s natural environment – such as their home, work or daily routine.
The two techniques complement each other efficiently. While polysomnography offers a detailed and accurate analysis of one or a few nights of sleep, ideal for clinical diagnoses such as sleep apnea, actigraphy allows for long-term follow-up, providing information on sleep patterns in real-life conditions. Combined, they provide a robust approach to assessing, monitoring and treating sleep disorders.
This integration is especially useful in clinical, pediatric, neurological and psychiatric contexts, as well as applications in scientific research, sports and fatigue studies.
HOW DOES AN ACTIGRAPH WORK?
Actigraphy is a practical, non-invasive and continuous method for monitoring sleep and activity patterns over the course of days or weeks. Using the Condor Instruments solution as a reference, here’s how it works in practice:
Portable device
An actigraph – such as those produced by Condor Instruments – is worn on the wrist (or attached to the body) and contains an accelerometer capable of recording movements with high sensitivity for 24 hours or even longer.Multiple data collection
In addition to the accelerometer, advanced devices include light sensors (photopic, melanopic, infrared), temperature and “off-wrist” sensors. This allows the device to record movement as well as light exposure and use, offering a complete overview of sleep conditions.Continuous recording in everyday life
The user spends days and nights with the equipment in a natural environment – such as home, work or school. This makes it possible to obtain realistic data on sleep-wake habits, without the interference of a clinical laboratory.Data transfer and processing
At the end of the monitoring period (which can last days or weeks), the data is transferred via dock or Bluetooth to Condor Instruments’ ActStudio software. This software automatically processes the signals and generates reports with parameters such as:Beginning and end of sleep
Total time slept
Night wakings
Sleep efficiency
Circadian rhythms
Analysis and clinical application
The reports allow health professionals to assess sleep quality over time, identify deviations in patterns and compare the effects of treatments or medications. Actigraphy is useful in areas such as neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, chronobiology, cardiology and fatigue studies, among others.
CAN ACTTRUST BE USED IN THE SHOWER?
Yes, our actigraphs can be used in the shower and in any day-to-day activity. This is possible because all of our devices are IP67 certified, which guarantees that they are water and dust resistant.
The IP67 rating means that the actigraph is fully protected against dust and can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This allows the user to maintain continuous use of the device – including while showering, exercising and other daily routines – without compromising the integrity of the data or the equipment.
This protection is essential to guarantee consistent records, even in varied environments and different conditions.
Do not use for swimming!
WHAT IS AN ACCELEROMETER?
One accelerometer is a sensor that measures acceleration – in other words, the change in speed of a moving object. In simple terms, it detects movements and inclinations, transforming this information into digital data that can be analyzed by software.
The accelerometer is the main component for recording physical activity and sleep patterns. It is able to identify even the smallest movements of the body during the day and especially during sleep.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I'M NOT USING MY ACTTRUST?
When the Condor Instruments’ are not in use, it is important to follow some simple precautions to ensure their durability and proper functioning over time.
1. Sanitization:
Before storing the device, it must be sanitized. We recommend using alcohol 70% or neutral soap with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive products or total immersion in liquids, even with IP67 protection, to preserve the sensors and electronic components.
2. Periodic recharging:
Even when not in use, it’s important to charge the device before storing it and to recharge the battery every three months.This prevents deep discharge, which can lead to permanent battery damage and affect the device’s performance.
3. Proper storage:
Keep the actigraph in one place dry, cool and away from direct sunlight. We recommend keeping it in its original packaging or in a protective case to avoid impacts or dust accumulation.
Having problems?
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