Which method is commonly used to score sleep stages during polysomnography?

The correct choice for scoring sleep stages during polysomnography is the Rechtschaffen and Kales (RandK) scoring system. This method, developed in the 1960s, sets the foundation for how sleep stages are identified and classified based on specific criteria observed in polysomnographic data. By utilizing this system, technologists can scrutinize various parameters, such as brain wave activity, eye movements, and muscle tone, to accurately categorize sleep into distinct stages such as REM and various non-REM stages.

While the AASM scoring system has also been developed and is widely adopted, particularly in more recent standards, the RandK method remains an important historical reference point and is still utilized in certain contexts. Hypnogram analysis, while valuable in visualizing sleep architecture over time, relies on the scoring systems (like RandK or AASM) for accurate stage classification rather than serving as a standalone scoring method. Subjective sleep questionnaires provide insights into a patient's sleep habits and quality but do not involve direct analysis of polysomnography data and therefore are not appropriate for scoring sleep stages.