What is the typical range of sleep cycles recorded during a one-night sleep study?

During a one-night sleep study, also known as a polysomnography, it is typical to observe around 4 to 6 sleep cycles. Each complete sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes and encompasses various stages of sleep, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Given that most adults sleep for about 7 to 8 hours, it is feasible to complete multiple cycles within this timeframe.

A smaller range, such as 1 to 3 cycles, would not capture the full spectrum of sleep experience as it would likely represent only the initial stages of sleep, missing the thorough exploration of all sleep stages.

Conversely, 7 to 9 cycles would suggest an unrealistically short cycle duration or excessive sleep time, which does not align with typical sleep patterns. Similarly, claiming 10 or more cycles would imply an even more compressed cycle duration, which is not consistent with established sleep science. Thus, the range of 4 to 6 cycles is the most accurate representation of what is normally recorded during a standard overnight sleep study.