A new postural device for the treatment of positional obstructive sleep apnea. A pilot study

Approximately 60% of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnoses are position-dependent, and avoidance of the supine position could represent an effective treatment. Nevertheless, the majority of the available anti-supine treatments result in discomfort and low adherence. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a new vibrating supine avoidance device in reducing time spent in the supine position and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) without affecting sleep structure. Furthermore, the tolerability and satisfaction were also scored.

Observational prospective study of patients suffering from positional OSA. They were treated with a vibrating device and followed up at the first and fourth weeks after starting the treatment, and further polysomnographic studies were conducted while patients' wore the device. The comparison of the results was carried out through non-parametric tests. Significance level was 5%.

Twelve patients had complete data. The device reduced time spent in the supine position (from 51.5 ± 14.8% to 25.2 ± 21.0%, p = 0.005), median AHI (from 30.7 (23.2-38.2) at baseline to 21.5 (12.4-24.3) at the fourth week, p = 0.002). Also an improvement in the minimum SaO₂ (from 82.2 ± 7.5 to 87.2 ± 3.6 at the 4th week) was also observed. No variations in sleep quality or quantity were identified. All patients evaluated the device positively.

Our device was effective in reducing the time spent in the supine position and improving AHI, SaO₂ variables and sleep architecture. The device was well tolerated by the patients.