Effects of electrical stimulation to the soft palate on snoring and obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder and has been associated with social and physical problems. Many treatments of OSA have been proposed with various levels of success. Seven patients with histories of snoring and OSA participated in this pilot study to evaluate the effects of electrical stimulation to the soft palate. Each patient slept with a palatal appliance that delivered a weak electrical stimulus to the soft palate on activation. A 3 milliampere stimulus in the range of 9 to 10 volts was found to be effective in terminating snoring without causing patient arousal. The effects of the stimulus on OSA were variable. The results of this study indicated that electrical stimulation of the soft palate may be effective as a treatment for snoring and OSA and warrants further investigation.