[Sleep position trainers for treatment of supine obstructive sleep apnea : A comparison of two different training...

Many patients suffer from positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA; 56%). In these cases, positional therapy may be an option. A sleep position trainer (SPT) is a small vibrating device that trains the patient to avoid sleeping in the supine position. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerance of gradual and intensive training onset in POSA patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate POSA and incompliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy were included in this prospective double-blind trail. Patients were randomized according to how training was initiated and the SPT was set to either a gradual or an intensive training program. Polygraphy was used to check respiratory parameters after 1 month, and subjective parameters and compliance were assessed prior to and after this time period using a questionnaire.

A total of 38 patients were included (20 intensive; 18 gradual; 49 ± 13 years) of whom 31 completed the study protocol. After 1 month the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in both groups was significantly reduced, but there was no difference in AHI between the two training modalities (AHI intensive: 16.7 ± 6.3/h to 4.2 ± 3.2/h; AHI gradual: 18.9 ± 11.2/h to 8.4 ± 7.9/h). The same effect was observed for subjective sleepiness.

The objective severity of OSA and the associated subjective daytime sleepiness was reduced in both groups. There was no difference in terms of clinical outcome or compliance between the gradual or intensive SPT therapy in POSA patients during the observation period. Both training modalities are highly successful and well tolerated.