Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Electroencephalographic Assessment in Disorders of Consciousness
Published on: July 11, 2025
Three-Year Outcomes of Cranial Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The STAR Trial
B Tucker Woodson1, Ryan J Soose2, M Boyd Gillespie3
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA bwoodson@mcw.edu.
Objective:
To describe the 36-month clinical and polysomnography (PSG) outcomes in an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cohort treated with hypoglossal cranial nerve upper airway stimulation (UAS).
Study Design:
A multicenter prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Industry-supported multicenter academic and clinical setting.
Subjects:
Participants (n = 116) at 36 months from a cohort of 126 implanted participants.
Methods:
Participants were enrolled in a prospective phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of UAS for moderated to severe OSA. Prospective outcomes included apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, other PSG measures, self-reported measures of sleepiness, sleep-related quality of life, and snoring.
Results:
Of 126 enrolled participants, 116 (92%) completed 36-month follow-up evaluation per protocol; 98 participants additionally agreed to a voluntary 36-month PSG. Self-report daily device usage was 81%. In the PSG group, 74% met the a priori definition of success with the primary outcomes of apnea-hypopnea index, reduced from the median value of 28.2 events per hour at baseline to 8.7 and 6.2 at 12 and 36 months, respectively. Similarly, self-reported outcomes improved from baseline to 12 months and were maintained at 36 months. Soft or no snoring reported by bed partner increased from 17% at baseline to 80% at 36 months. Serious device-related adverse events were rare, with 1 elective device explantation from 12 to 36 months.
Conclusion:
Long-term 3-year improvements in objective respiratory and subjective quality-of-life outcome measures are maintained. Adverse events are uncommon. UAS is a successful and appropriate long-term treatment for individuals with moderate to severe OSA.
