Markov analysis of sleep dynamics

A new approach, based on a Markov transition matrix, is proposed to explain frequent sleep and wake transitions during sleep. The matrix is determined by analyzing hypnograms of 113 obstructive sleep apnea patients. Our approach shows that the statistics of sleep can be constructed via a single Mark...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 102; no. 17; p. 178104
Main Authors Kim, J W, Lee, J-S, Robinson, P A, Jeong, D-U
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.2009
Subjects
Female
Humans
Male
Markov Chains
Middle Aged
Sleep - physiology
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology
Sleep Stages - physiology
Wakefulness - physiology
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Summary:A new approach, based on a Markov transition matrix, is proposed to explain frequent sleep and wake transitions during sleep. The matrix is determined by analyzing hypnograms of 113 obstructive sleep apnea patients. Our approach shows that the statistics of sleep can be constructed via a single Markov process and that durations of all states have modified exponential distributions, in contrast to recent reports of a scale-free form for the wake stage and an exponential form for the sleep stage. Hypnograms of the same subjects, but treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, are analyzed and compared quantitatively with the pretreatment ones, suggesting potential clinical applications.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.178104