Mindfulness may be a novel factor associated with CPAP adherence in OSAHS patients

Poor adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the greatest obstacle to effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). The purpose of the present study was to identify if mindfulness is associated with CPAP adherence of OSAHS patients.

Newly diagnosed patients with OSAHS completed questionnaires including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and had experienced an overnight CPAP titration. Participants returned to the sleep center for a scheduled research visit after 30-day CPAP treatment at home. Demographics, disease severity, and device-related variables were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to build a multivariate predictive model for the outcome variable, mean daily CPAP use over 30 days.

Mean CPAP use was 4.7 ± 2.4 h/night for the study sample of 100 patients and 67% were classified as CPAP adherent. MAAS scale was 45.2 ± 18.8, whereas only 13% of patients expressed anxiety or depression. MAAS scales were significantly higher in the CPAP adherent group compared to the non-adherent group (49.5 ± 14.5 vs 40.8 ± 14.2, p < 0.001) with mean hours of daily CPAP use over 30 days for the adherent group (5.7 ± 1.4 h/night) compared to the non-adherence group (3.0 ± 1.7 h/night). There were differences between the two groups in HADS depression, AHI, lowest SaO₂, optimal CPAP pressure, residual AHI, mean days over 30 days, and mean daily CPAP use in the first week. Univariate analyses identified an unadjusted association between mean daily CPAP use over 30 days and HADS depression, MAAS, AHI, lowest SaO₂, optimal pressure, and mean daily CPAP use in the first week. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated only MAAS and AHI were associated (p < 0.05) with mean daily CPAP use. MAAS and AHI uniquely explained 10.1% (p < 0.001) and 8.7% (p < 0.001) of mean daily CPAP use respectively.

This study found a significant independent association of dispositional mindfulness with CPAP adherence. As a novel factor, mindfulness may play an important role in CPAP adherence.