Randomised sham-controlled trial of transcutaneous electrical stimulation in obstructive sleep apnoea.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by a loss of neuromuscular tone of the upper airway dilator muscles while asleep. This study investigated the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical stimulation in patients with OSA.

Patients and methods

This was a randomised, sham-controlled crossover trial using transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the upper airway dilator muscles in patients with confirmed OSA. Patients were randomly assigned to one night of sham stimulation and one night of active treatment. The primary outcome was the 4% oxygen desaturation index, responders were defined as patients with a reduction >25% in the oxygen desaturation index when compared with sham stimulation and/or with an index <5/hour in the active treatment night.

R

SUBMITTER: Pengo MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5036236 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature