A novel intermittent negative air pressure device ameliorates obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults

• Published in: Sleep & breathing 2019-09, Vol.23 (3), p.849-856
• Main Authors: Hung, Tzu-Chun, Liu, Tien-Jen, Hsieh, Wen-Yeh, Chen, Bo-Nien, Su, Wen-Ko, Sun, Kuang-Hui, Guilleminault, Christian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway management; Apnea; Body mass index; Continuous positive airway pressure; Dentistry; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Otorhinolaryngology; Palate; Patients; Pediatrics; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Pressure; Respiratory tract; Response rates; Side effects; Sleep; Sleep apnea; Sleep Breathing Physiology and Disorders • Original Article; Sleep disorders
• ISSN: 1520-9512; 1522-1709
• DOI: 10.1007/s11325-018-01778-z

Purpose Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have difficulties in compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and the treatment outcome is heterogeneous. We proposed a proof-of-concept study of a novel intermittent negative air pressure (iNAP®) device for physicians to apply on patients who have failed or refused to use CPAP. Methods The iNAP® device retains the tongue and the soft palate in a forward position to decrease airway obstruction. A full nightly usage with the device was evaluated with polysomnography. Subgrouping by baseline apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and body mass index (BMI) with different treatment response criteria was applied to characterize the responder group of this novel device. Results Thirty-five patients were enrolled: age 41.9 ± 12.2 years (mean ± standard deviation), BMI 26.6 ± 4.3 kg/m 2 , AHI 41.4 ± 24.3 events/h, and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) 40.9 ± 24.4 events/h at baseline. AHI and ODI were significantly decreased ( p