The Manual

Study the ins and outs of the AASM's Scoring Manual like never before! Our course breaks it down page by page, making it easy to grasp. But we don't stop there—we go beyond the book, offering a deeper understanding that makes the content truly come alive.

short, easy-to-understand microlearning style video lessons
hand-crafted and instructed by an award-winning sleep technologist who has a passion for educating
relevant & practical learning material that is to the point and based on 20+ years of real-life experience
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Course Overview

Note: This Adult and Pediatric Scoring Course has been updated and renamed to The Manual to accommodate Version 3.0.

Introduction

This course is designed to take the learner through a page by page deep dive into the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. We will learn more than the rules for scoring by expanding on the terminology and technical specifications as well! As you navigate through this course, you will be introduced to Technology Topics to help you better understand the how and the why to the standardized approach to sleep study collection.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sleep professional, this course will give you a better understanding to performing and scoring attended and unattended sleep studies.

What You'll Learn

  • About how the manual is organized and how it relates to the AASM accreditation
  • About the parameters to be recorded and reported for PSG, MSLT and MWT
  • About the technical and digital specifications for the routine sleep study
  • About sleep staging rules for adults, children and infants
  • About the arousal rules and scoring arousals
  • About the cardiac rules and scoring cardiac findings
  • About movement rules and scoring limb movements
  • About respirator rules for adults and children
  • About home sleep apnea testing using airflow and effort as well as with PAT

Course Structure

The Manual course is divided into 9 sections and 143 lessons. Each section covers a specific section from the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is perfect for individuals new to sleep technology as well as those experienced sleep professionals wanting to better understand the standardization of performing and scoring attended and unattended sleep studies.

Prerequisites

No prior experience in sleep technology is required. However, a basic understanding of what goes on in a sleep center might be helpful to grasp concepts more easily.

BRPT-Required Survey

In accordance with the BRPT's requirements for courses eligible for CSTE Credits, a brief survey will be provided upon completion of the course material. Participants will be asked to indicate their level of agreement with each question. We appreciate your participation in helping us not only meet but also exceed the BRPT's standards for our courses.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, you'll receive a certificate of completion to showcase your educational learning activity.

Course Outline

Section 1: User Guide

  • 1.1 - Organization of the Manual
  • 1.2 - AASM Accreditation

Section 2: Parameters to be Recorded

Part 1 - Rules for Reporting PSG

  • 2.1.1 - General Parameters
  • 2.1.2 - General Parameters - Electrical Concepts
  • 2.1.3 - General Parameters - Signal Sources
  • 2.1.4 - General Parameters - Electrodes and Derivations
  • 2.1.5 - Other Parameters
  • 2.1.6 - Other Parameters - Sleep Scoring Data
  • 2.1.7 - Other Parameters - Arousal Events
  • 2.1.8 - Other Parameters - Cardiac Events
  • 2.1.9 - Other Parameters - Movement Events
  • 2.1.10 - Other Parameters - Respiratory Events
  • 2.1.11 - Other Parameters - Summary Statements

Part 2 - Rules for Reporting MSLT and MWT

  • 2.2.1 - General Parameters
  • 2.2.2 - Patient Parameters
  • 2.2.3 - Sleep Scoring Data fir Each Trial
  • 2.2.4 - MSLT Summary Data
  • 2.2.5 - MWT Summary Data

Section 3: Technical & Digital Specifications

Part A - Routine PSG Recording

  • 3.A.1 - Technology Topic - Differential Amplifiers
  • 3.A.2 - Technology Topic - Electrical Safety
  • 3.A.3 - Electrode Impedances
  • 3.A.4 - Minimum Digital Resolution
  • 3.A.5 - Sampling Rates
  • 3.A.6 - Filters

Part B-D - PSG Recording Features & Analyses

  • 3.B-D.1 - PSG Recording Features
  • 3.B-D.2 - PSG Display & Manipulation Features
  • 3.B-D.3 - PSG Digital Analyses

Part E - Performing Calibrations

  • 3.E.1 - Calibrations to perform
  • 3.E.2 - EOG Calibrations
  • 3.E.3 - EMG Chin Calibrations
  • 3.E.4 - Snore Calibrations
  • 3.E.5 - Respiratory Calibrations
  • 3.E.6 - EMG Leg Calibrations
  • 3.E.7 - ECG Calibrations

Section 4: Sleep Staging Rules

Part 1 - Rules for Adults

  • 4.1.1 - Technical Specifications for EEG
  • 4.1.2 - Technical Specifications for EOG
  • 4.1.3 - Technical Specifications for EMG Chin
  • 4.1.4 - General Scoring of Sleep Stages
  • 4.1.5 - Stage W
  • 4.1.6 - Stage N1
  • 4.1.7 - Stage N2
  • 4.1.8 - Stage N3
  • 4.1.9 - Stage R - Overview
  • 4.1.10 - Stage R - Start of Stage R
  • 4.1.11 - Stage R - Preceding Epochs Changed to R
  • 4.1.12 - Stage R - Contiguous and Majority Rules for R
  • 4.1.13 - Stage R - Subsequent Epochs Kept as R
  • 4.1.14 - Stage R - End of R
  • 4.1.15 - Stage R - Mixed with Ks and Spindles
  • 4.1.16 - Scoring Epoch with Major Body Movements

Part 2 - Rules for Children

  • 4.2.1 - When Pediatric Rules Apply
  • 4.2.2 - Technical Specifications for Pediatrics
  • 4.2.3 - General Scoring of Sleep Stages for Children
  • 4.2.4 - Stage W
  • 4.2.5 - Stage N1
  • 4.2.6 - Stage N2
  • 4.2.7 - Stage N3
  • 4.2.8 - Stage R

Part 3 - Rules for Infants

  • 4.3.1 - When Infant Rules Apply
  • 4.3.2 - Technical Specifications for Infants
  • 4.3.3 - General Scoring of Sleep Stages for Infants
  • 4.3.4 - Behavioral Characteristics
  • 4.3.5 - Respiratory Characteristics
  • 4.3.6 - EEG Characteristics
  • 4.3.7 - EOG Characteristics
  • 4.3.8 - EMG Characteristics
  • 4.3.9 - Summary of Stage Characteristics
  • 4.3.10 - Stage W
  • 4.3.11 - Stage N
  • 4.3.12 - Stage R
  • 4.3.13 - Stage T

Section 5: Arousal Rules

  • 5.1 - Scoring Arousals

Section 6: Cardiac Rules

  • 6.1 - Technical Specifications for ECG
  • 6.2 - Scoring Cardiac - Tachycardia & Bradycardia
  • 6.3 - Scoring Cardiac - Asystole & A-Fib
  • 6.4 - Scoring Cardiac - Wide and Narrow Complex Tachycardia
  • 6.5 - Scoring Cardiac - AV Blocks
  • 6.6 - Scoring Cardiac - Pacemaker Rhythm
  • 6.7 - Possible Emergencies

Section 7: Movement Rules

  • 7.1 - Technical Specifications - Lower & Upper Limbs
  • 7.2 - Technical Specifications - REM Behavior Disorder
  • 7.3 - Technical Specifications - Bruxism
  • 7.4 - Technical Specifications - Rhythmic Movement Disorder
  • 7.5 - Scoring PLMS - Significant Leg Movements
  • 7.6 - Scoring PLMS - Defining a PLM
  • 7.7 - Scoring PLMS - Arousal Associations
  • 7.8 - When Not to Score as PLM
  • 7.9 - Scoring Bruxism
  • 7.11 - Defining Activity in REM Sleep without Atonia
  • 7.12 - Scoring REM Sleep without Atonia
  • 7.13 - Scoring ALMA
  • 7.14 - Scoring HFT
  • 7.15 - Scoring EFM

Section 8: Respiratory Rules

Part 1 - Rules for Adults

  • 8.1.1 - Technical Specifications for Apnea
  • 8.1.2 - Technical Specifications for Hypopnea
  • 8.1.3 - Technical Specifications for PAP Flow
  • 8.1.4 - Technical Specifications for Effort
  • 8.1.5 - Technical Specifications for Oxygen Saturation
  • 8.1.6 - Technical Specifications for Snoring
  • 8.1.7 - Technical Specifications for Hypoventilation
  • 8.1.8 - Measuring Event Duration
  • 8.1.9 - Scoring Apnea
  • 8.1.10 - Scoring Hypopnea
  • 8.1.11 - Scoring RERA
  • 8.1.12 - Scoring Hypoventilation
  • 8.1.13 - Scoring Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
  • 8.1.14 - Scoring Device Triggered Breaths from Backup

Part 2 - Rules for Children

  • 8.2.1 - When Pediatric Rules Apply
  • 8.2.2 - Technical Specifications for Apnea
  • 8.2.3 - Technical Specifications for Hypopnea
  • 8.2.4 - Technical Specifications for PAP Flow
  • 8.2.5 - Technical Specifications for Effort
  • 8.2.6 - Technical Specifications for Oxygen Saturation
  • 8.2.7 - Technical Specifications for Snoring
  • 8.2.8 - Technical Specifications for Hypoventilation
  • 8.2.9 - Measuring Event Duration
  • 8.2.10 - Scoring Apnea
  • 8.2.11 - Scoring Hypopnea
  • 8.2.12 - Scoring RERA
  • 8.2.13 - Scoring Hypoventilation
  • 8.2.14 - Scoring Periodic Breathing
  • 8.2.15 - Scoring Device Triggered Breaths from Backup

Section 9: Home Sleep Apnea Test Rules for Adults

Part 1 - HSAT Rules using Flow and Effort

  • 9.1.1 - General Parameters to be Reported
  • 9.1.2 - Recording Data to be Reported - No Sleep Recorded
  • 9.1.3 - Recording Data to be Reported - Sleep is Recorded
  • 9.1.4 - Summary Statement
  • 9.1.5 - Technical Specifications - Recording Features
  • 9.1.6 - Technical Specifications - Monitoring Respiratory Airflow
  • 9.1.7 - Technical Specifications - Monitoring Respiratory Effort
  • 9.1.8 - Technical Specifications - Monitoring Oxygen Saturation
  • 9.1.9 - Technical Specifications - Monitoring Snoring
  • 9.1.10 - Scoring Apnea
  • 9.1.11 - Scoring Hypopnea - No Sleep Recorded
  • 9.1.12 - Scoring Hypopnea - Sleep Recorded

Part 2 - HSAT Rules using Peripheral Arterial Tonometry

  • 9.2.1 - What is PAT?
  • 9.2.2 - General Parameters to be Reported
  • 9.2.3 - Recording Data to be Reported
  • 9.2.4 - Summary Statements
  • 9.2.5 - Technical Specifications - Recording Features
  • 9.2.6 - Technical Specifications - Indications of Respiratory Events
  • 9.2.7 - Technical Specifications - Monitoring Oxygen Saturation

Course Reviews

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The Manual
Verified user
"
This is an excellent course for all sleep professionals. The chapters are outlined, and there are quizzes at the end of each chapter. There is a lot of information, but it is done very well and organized.
"
Sharon L.
First Sleep School's reply:

About the Instructor

Larry Brewer BA, RPSGT, RST

Owner, Chief Executive Officer, Instructor

Larry is a Registered Sleep Technologist with over 20 years of experience in the sleep technology field. He focuses on providing a clear understanding of the content through a relational styled teaching approach. He appreciates the value of providing real-life examples to explain even the most complex content.

Read more
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Support

Frequently asked questions

Here are some common questions about the course.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our support team.
How will I access my course materials?

After you purchase and enroll into a course, you'll be given access to your own student dashboard. There you'll find all the courses you're enrolled in. You'll also be able to manage your user profile,  view/download certificates, view order histories, and monitor course completion progress.

How is the course material presented?

Our courses follow a microlearning approach, breaking down each lesson into two parts:

  1. A concise on-screen video presentation.
  2. A brief quiz that covers the specific topics discussed in the previous video.
Why do you take the microlearning approach?

We intentionally structure our courses this way because we've found that presenting information in short, focused bursts significantly enhances retention rates and improves understanding.

How long are the video lessons?

On average, our video lessons are about 5 minutes long. Some of our more complex topics may reach up to 15 minutes long, while others can be as short as 1 minute long.

What happens after a video lesson?

Upon completing each video lesson, you'll have the option to rewatch it as many times as you wish or proceed to the quiz. You'll also have the ability to come back to watch or reference the video lesson as needed between quiz attempts.

What can I expect from the quizzes?

After each lesson, you'll be prompted to take a brief quiz comprising of about 5 questions, depending on how long the video was. These quizzes are not timed, and you'll have multiple attempts to achieve a passing grade.

How do I progress to the next lesson?

To advance, you need to earn a passing grade of 80% on the quiz. You can rewatch the video lesson between quiz attempts if needed.

How do I access my certificate of completion at the end of the course?

There are 3 ways you can download your certificates. The method we recommend is to:

  1. Login to your dashboard, and click your name in the top right corner.
  2. Then click "My Account".
  3. Navigate to the Certificates tab, then click "View" next to the certificate you want to view.
  4. Then click "Download PDF". If it asks you to allow downloads, click "Allow".

We like to suggest this method because it makes viewing and downloading multiple certificates at once quick and easy. If you run into any trouble, contact us, and we'll help you out.

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Difficulty:
Technologist (Advanced)
Course difficulty ratings are designed to help give you an idea as to who that course is mostly geared toward, but they are not hard and fast rules that must be followed.
9
hours of CSTE Credits
Courses that include CSTE Credits will have an additional indication on the final certificate of completion that the BRPT can use to verify your continuing education credits.
142
micro video lessons
This is the total number of videos you will be required to watch in this course. There is one video per lesson.
of total video time
This is the total amount of time it will take to watch all of the video lessons in this course. On average, videos are around 5 mins long while some videos are as short as 1 minute and others may be as long as 15 minutes.
142
micro quizzes
This is the total amount of quizzes you will be required to complete in this course. There is one quiz following every video lesson. On average, quizzes are around 5 questions each while some quizzes only have 2 and others may have 10.
AASM Approved

All of our courses are approved by the State of Texas, and when applicable, they are approved by the BRPT. This course is also approved by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as we go over the AASM Scoring Manual v3 in great detail.

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Whether you're sitting at a desk, or studying on the go, you'll be able to access all of your courses on any device or screen size as long as you have an internet connection. Our courses work on mobile browsers as well the Thinkific app.