Shhh! Sleep study in progress

While most people sleep restfully at night, most don’t really understand the dynamics surrounding the activity.

Officials at Lenoir Community College have worked the past two years to unveil the mysteries of sleep with help from Karen Rowe; she serves as LCC’s polysomnography program head, which has 18 students enrolled this semester.

The five-semester program gives students the opportunity to conduct clinical sleep studies at eight medical facilities statewide, including at Lenoir Memorial Hospital and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rowe was recognized last month for her efforts with an award from the North Carolina Association of Sleep Technologists (NCAST). Dr. Brad Vaugh, Medical Director for Sleep Disorders Center at the University of North Carolina, presented the award.

Rowe is also the president-elect for the NCAST and will begin her term in January. According to her, there are 100 sleep disorders and more sleep technologists are needed to help the public.

“North Carolina is leading the way in sleep degree programs,” she said. “LCC’s program is well-known.”

Just last month, Rowe hosted a Webinar that showed how other colleges and institutions could start their own sleep study program. She was also instrumental in helping get the Polysomnography Practice Act passed in 2009.

The act establishes polysomnography as a recognized and separate profession and identifies the scope of the practice. Rowe said the act also requires those who want to practice polysomnography must be certified by Jan. 1, 2012.

“It took us three years to get this act passed,” Rowe said. “It raises the standards and guidelines.”

Rowe came to LCC in July 2007 to head the polysomnography program. The college’s associate degree program teaches students about sleep and sleep disorders and prepares them for a career in sleep medicine. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Students in the program analyze the results from their own sleep study. A sleep study room is set up for students at LCC. A sign that states “Shhh!! Be quiet, a sleep study is in progress” greets visitors before they enter the area.

The studies analyze a person’s breathing, brain wave patterns, leg and arm movements and dream cycles as they sleep.

“We don’t analyze dreams,” Rowe said. “We all dream but don’t always remember our dream.”

Children sometime have night terrors when they dream while adults usually have nightmares. Rowe said children are also more likely to move around in their sleep or sit up and down in their beds.

The study of sleep first began in the 1930s and became more developed in the 1950s. Rowe said during the past three years, sleep studies have become more widely accepted.

“Some people don’t truly realize the importance of sleep,” Rowe said. “It’s been proven that driving drowsy is more dangerous than driving drunk.”

Rowe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Governmental Administration from Christopher Newport College of William and Mary and an associate in applied science degree in Electroneurodiagnostics from Pamlico Community College.

She is certified as a registered Polysomnographic Technologist.

“A large number of Americans suffer from sleep problems,” LCC President Dr. Brantley Briley said. “We are glad to have Karen at LCC who can help provide some relief for those who are in need.”

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.