Which of the following would NOT be necessary when gathering equipment for an MSLT?

In the context of a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), gathering the appropriate equipment is crucial for accurately measuring sleep latencies and determining the presence of sleep disorders. The correct answer highlights that intercostal EMG is not necessary for an MSLT.

The MSLT primarily assesses how quickly a person can fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day, which requires monitoring brain activity and other parameters relevant to sleep onset. This involves the use of central EEG leads, which are critical for capturing the brain's electrical activity. The occipital leads are also important as they can help monitor specific brain regions that relate to sleep, particularly visual processing and other cortical activities.

The M1 reference lead is essential for providing a stable reference point for the EEG readings, which helps ensure the accuracy of the brainwave data collected during the test.

In contrast, the intercostal EMG monitors muscle activity in the intercostal muscles but is not a standard requirement for the MSLT, as the focus is more on brain activity and less on peripheral muscle movements, making it unnecessary for this specific test scenario. This distinction underscores why intercostal EMG is the correct choice when identifying equipment that is not needed for an MSLT.