Evaluation of a trial period with a sleep position trainer in patients with positional sleep apnea

Abstract

Study Objectives: To assess the overall clinical effectiveness of a sleep position trainer (SPT) in patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) and to evaluate how many patients were willing to continue treatment after a 1-month trial period. Methods: Patients in whom POSA was diagnosed underwent a 1-month trial period with the SPT. Home sleep apnea tests were used to measure baseline data and data following the trial period with the SPT. Results: The 79 patients who completed the study protocol were 81% male, had a mean age of 52 ± 12 years, and a median baseline respiratory event index (REI) of 11 (8, 16) events/h. A significant reduction in overall REI to 5 (3, 10) events/h was observed with the SPT as compared to baseline (P