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Does Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Result in Improved Sleep Quality?
Carl Stepnowsky1,2, Tania Zamora1, Christine Edwards1
1Health Services Research & Development Unit, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA.
Health
|December 14, 2018
Summary
Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) did not significantly improve sleep quality in most patients. Over half of PAP users still reported disturbed sleep, indicating a need for further research into PAP
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- While effective for breathing events, its impact on sleep quality is less understood.
- Few studies have investigated PAP therapy's effectiveness on patient-reported sleep quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effectiveness of PAP therapy on sleep quality in OSA patients.
- To determine the correlation between PAP adherence and sleep quality.
Main Methods:
- 241 OSA participants from a larger PAP adherence trial were included.
- Participants received PAP instruction and were followed for 4 months.
- PAP adherence was objectively measured; sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Main Results:
- PSQI scores significantly correlated with PAP adherence at 2 and 4 months.
- Lower sleep quality was associated with lower PAP usage.
- Over 55% of PAP users still reported significantly disturbed sleep at 4 months.
Conclusions:
- PAP therapy may not substantially improve sleep quality in OSA patients as expected.
- A significant portion of patients using PAP therapy continue to experience disturbed sleep.
- Further research is needed to determine if disturbed sleep is due to the PAP device or uncontrolled OSA.
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