RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Electrical auricle stimulation device for obstructive and central sleep apnoea: A pilot study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3588
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Viliam Donic
A1 Sona Gresova
A1 Judita Stimmelova
A1 Ivana Bacova
A1 Zoltan Tomori
A1 Johan Verbraecken
A1 Boudewijn de Kerf
A1 Gerrit J. de Vos
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3588.abstract
AB Background: Severe obstructive (OSA) and central (CSA) sleep apnoea represent serious health consequences and are mostly treated by CPAP, but often perceived as uncomfortable. Long-term compliance for CPAP is low. Recently, an electrical auricle stimulation (EAS) device was developed to improve OSA as well as CSA.Methods: The EAS device applies an electrical stimulus to the auricle, at a low impedance point, upon cessation of breathing. The algorithm has an inbuilt stimulation delay of a few seconds. 40 male OSA/CSA patients were enrolled with broad selection criteria (BMI<40 kg/m2). Nights with stimulation ON were compared to nights with stimulation OFF, with particular focus on changes in apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) and micro arousal index (ArI), based on attended polysomnography.Results: Stimulation for one night was efficacious (improvement of AHI ≥30%) in 18 out of 40 patients (from 47±20 to 22±15, p<0.01; -53%), followed by a trend towards a lower ArI (from 26±15 to 21±11, p=0.11). Accelerometry did not reveal unusual motion during stimulation ON. Responders reported to feel better or similar compared to CPAP treatment, while EAS was perceived as more comfortable. Baseline characteristics did not differ between responders and non-responders.View this table:Table 1Conclusion: EAS is feasible and allows treatment of OSA/CSA, without induction of arousals. Moreover, EAS is experienced as more comfortable than CPAP. Hence, these promising results warrant a prospective study to evaluate short- and long-term effects.