RCT: Oral Appliance Therapy and Sleep Position Trainer in Patients With Position Dependant Obstructive Sleep Apnea

SUMMARY Rationale: Fifty-six percent of patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are position dependent, defined as having an AHI, which is at least twice as high in supine sleeping position compared to the AHI during sleep in other positions. Standard therapy for patients having mild or moderate POSA is treatment with an Oral Appliance Trainer (OAT). Recently a new device Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) is been introduced especially for patients with POSA.

Objective: To compare the effect of positional therapy with the SPT versus OAT on polysomnographic (PSG) parameters, to evaluate the compliance and measuring the possible learning effect that might occur with POSA patients using the SPT for positional therapy over a long term.

Study design: Randomised controlled trial Study population: The participants of the research will be recruited from the departments of Otolaryngology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Saint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Participants will be males or females older than 18 years with diagnosis of positional OSA.

Intervention: The SPT is a sensor positioned in an elastic band attached around the body. The SPT measures the body position and vibrates when the patient lies in supine position. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is an intra-oral prosthesis, which holds the mandible in a protrusive position. Because of this position more pharyngeal space will be available and the AHI will decrease. After randomisation the first group (n=45) will sleep for a period of 90 +/- 2 days with the SPT every night. The second group (n=45) will also sleep for a period of 90 +/- 2 days only with OAT. After this period the PSG is repeated. Long- term outcome in AHI is measured by repeating the PSG after 1 year. Main study parameters/ endpoints: Primary endpoints; reduction of PSG parameters, in particular AHI, AI, HI, DI, reduction of % of sleeping supine sleep position, without disturbance of the sleep quality.

Secondary endpoints: Outcome of Quality of Life questionnaires; EQ-5D, ESS, FOSQ and MFIQ.

Compliance and learning effect will also be evaluated for the time period of 3 and 12 months. Finally cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure, pulse rate and BMI/neck circumference will be assessed.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The risks for patients participating in this study are negligible. Inconveniences of the SPT can be discomfort caused by irritation of the band, difficulties with an increased sleeping period on the side or difficulties sleeping with the SPT. This can be compensated by the expected improvement of sleep quality caused by the therapy. Possible side effects of OAT may be discomfort in the jaw, sensitivity of the teeth and a dry mouth. Withdrawing from this therapy means immediate relief of inconveniences.