Skip to main content

SWS Staging Protocols

Meaning

SWS Staging Protocols are the standardized, clinically defined procedures used to identify and quantify the duration and quality of Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS), also known as deep sleep or N3 sleep. These protocols rely on analyzing specific electroencephalography (EEG) patterns, characterized by high-amplitude, low-frequency delta waves, typically using polysomnography. Accurate staging is critical because SWS is the most physically restorative phase of sleep, essential for maximal Growth Hormone secretion, metabolic regulation, and cellular repair. Deviations from established protocols can lead to misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning.