Actigraphy
DESCRIPTION
Actigraphy refers to the assessment of activity patterns by devices typically placed on the wrist or ankle that record body movement, which is interpreted by computer algorithms as periods of sleep (absence of activity) and wake (activity). Actigraphy devices are typically worn continuously for at least 24 hours. Activity is usually recorded for a period of three days to two weeks. The activity monitors may be placed on the ankle for the assessment of restless legs syndrome, or on the trunk to record movement in infants. Proprietary software is then used to calculate periods of sleep based on the absence of detectable movement, along with movement-related level of activity and periods of wake. In addition to providing graphic depiction of the activity pattern, device-specific software may analyze and report a variety of sleep parameters including sleep onset, sleep offset, sleep latency, total sleep duration, and wake after sleep onset. For clinical applications, actigraphy is being evaluated as a measure of sleep-wake cycles in sleep disorders, including insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
Note: This policy only addresses actigraphy as a stand-alone test. When performed as a component of portable home sleep testing, actigraphy should not be reported separately.
POLICY
Actigraphy, as a technique to record and analyze body movement, including but not limited to, its use in the evaluation of sleep disorders, is considered investigational.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Any specific products referenced in this policy are just examples and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another, and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available. These examples are contained in the parenthetical e.g. statement.
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the medical policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Evidence demonstrating that actigraphy provides a reliable measure of sleep efficiency is lacking. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.
SOURCES
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2008, July). Clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic insomnia in adults. Retrieved September 7, 2017 from http://www.aasmnet.org/Resources/clinicalguidelines/040515.pdf.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2018, July). Use of actigraphy for the evaluation of sleep disorders and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Retrieved August 14, 2018 from http://jcsm.aasm.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=31329.
Blake, M.J., Sheeber, L.B., Youssef, G.J., Raniti, M.B., & Allen, N.B. (2017). Systematic review and meta-analysis of adolescent cognitive-behavioral sleep interventions. Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, 20 (3), 227-249. (Level 1 evidence)
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Evidence Positioning System. (8:2024). Actigraphy (2.01.73). Retrieved October 2, 2024 from www.bcbsaoca.com/eps/. (20 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
CMS.gov: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Palmetto GBA. (2023, March). Polysomnography (LCD L36593). Retrieved August 21, 2023 from www.cms.gov.
De Crescenzo, F., Licchelli, S., Ciabattini, M., Menghini, D., Armando, M., Alfieri, P, et al. (2016). The use of actigraphy in the monitoring of sleep and activity in ADHD: a meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 26, 9-20. Abstract retrieved August 29, 2019 from PubMed database.
Louter, M., Arends, J., Bloem, B., & Overeem, S. (2014). Actigraphy as a diagnostic aid for REM sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson’s disease. BioMed Central Neurology, 14 (76), 1-8. (Level 4 evidence)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1985). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K854030. Retrieved April 16, 2014 from, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2004). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K040554. Retrieved September 26, 2016 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 1/14/2006
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 11/14/2024
ID_BA
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