Enhancing Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using...

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Sleep Medicine
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is standard for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• Patient adherence to CPAP therapy is a significant challenge due to discomfort and inconvenience.
• Augmented reality (AR) offers a novel solution for real-time user guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing AR in CPAP therapy.
• To evaluate the impact of AR on improving CPAP adherence in OSA patients.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month randomized controlled trial with parallel assignment.
• Participants receive either AR-guided CPAP or standard care.
• Primary outcome: CPAP adherence (>70% sleep time, >4 hours/night). Secondary outcomes: adverse effects, usability, education time.

Main Results:

• Participant recruitment began April 2025; 40 of 80 enrolled by September 2025.
• Preliminary analyses of 1-month adherence and usability are ongoing.
• Final data collection expected by December 2025; results by Fall 2026.

Conclusions:

• AR-guided CPAP therapy is anticipated to enhance adherence through improved mask fitting and interactive education.
• This technology-driven approach may personalize OSA management.
• Potential for broader application in chronic condition management requiring therapy adherence.