Cardiometabolic Risk Effects of Short-term Cessation of Neurostimulation Therapy

Inclusion criteria

• English-speaking adults (18+ years) who have met surgical efficacy criteria with HGNS, as defined by at least a 50% reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) to <20 (with hypopneas defined by 4% oxyhemoglobin desaturations)
• Have been using HGNS therapy for at least 3 months and used HGNS for >20 hours/week during the past 4 weeks
• Were not using any OSA therapy for at least one month prior to HGNS activation or have had a one-month period of untreated OSA after HGNS activation

Exclusion criteria

• Chronic use of opiate medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol dependency
• Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Shift workers, heavy machinery operators, or commercial drivers
• History of severe excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score >16 at time of screening or prior to HGNS), motor vehicle accidents or near-miss incidents due to drowsy driving within the year prior to enrollment
• Significant cardiopulmonary (such as home oxygen requirement), liver, renal, or oncologic disease; neurodegenerative disease; active or recent history of an eating disorder (within the last 5 years)
• Inability to provide informed consent