Effects of the combination of novel eye mask sleep position therapy device and oral appliance on positional OSA: A multi-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

We explored whether a new combination of eye mask sleep position therapy (SPT) and oral appliance therapy (OAT) was more effective at treating positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) than was the use of either device alone.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 60 POSA subjects diagnosed by standard polysomnography (PSG) were divided into three groups (ratio 1:1:1): SPT, OAT, and SPT combined with OAT (SOT). Participants underwent hospital-based follow-ups during months 1 and 6 after beginning treatment. The primary outcome was the decline in the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) at month 6. The secondary outcomes were changes in oxygen-derived parameters and the curative effect at month 6.

RESULTS

After 6 months of treatment, PSG showed that SPT, OAT, and SOT all improved the AHI and oxygen-derived parameters. The AHI decline was significantly better in the SOT group than in the OAT or SPT group (71.58% [50.56-84.84%] for SOT, 44.42% [21.23-67.52%] for OAT, and 33.24% [19.03-54.62%] for SPT at 6 months) (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001 for the comparisons of SOT with OAT and SOT with SPT, respectively). In terms of oxygen-derived parameters, only the sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden (SASHB) improved more in the SOT group (76.89% [57.43-85.91%]) than in the other groups (44.73% [32.38-72.69%] for OAT and 41.82% [15.40-65.24%] for SPT, P = 0.002 and P < 0.001 for the comparisons of SOT with OAT and SOT with SPT, respectively). The efficacies of SPT, OAT, and SOT were 36.84%, 50%, and 80% at 6 months; the SOT group evidenced the highest value (rate ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.78 (1.05-3.03), P = 0.048 and 2.17 (1.16-4.07), P = 0.010, for the comparisons of SOT with OAT and SOT with SPT, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The combination of SPT and OAT was better than either treatment alone and may represent a good option for the treatment of POSA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=42,852; No. ChiCTR1900025584.

A pilot study on comparison of subjective titration versus remotely controlled mandibular positioning during polysomnography and drug-induced sleep endoscopy, to determine the effective protrusive position for mandibular advancement device therapy

Study objectives

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of subjective titration versus objectively guided titration during polysomnography (PSG) and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

In this pilot cross-over study, patients underwent three titration procedures in randomized order: (1) subjective titration, (2) PSG-guided titration using a remotely controlled mandibular positioner (RCMP) and (3) DISE-assisted titration using RCMP. After each titration procedure, patients used the MAD for 1 month at the targeted protrusion obtained according to the preceding titration procedure. For each procedure, a follow-up PSG was performed after 1 month of MAD use in order to evaluate the efficacy of the MAD.

Results

Ten patients were included in the study. Overall, no significant differences in targeted optimal protrusion compared to maximal comfortable protrusion among the three titration methods were observed. There was no significant difference in reduction in AHI. In this study, PSG titration correctly classified 50% of patients as ‘responder’. A higher predictive accuracy was found for DISE titration with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 100%.

Conclusions

This pilot randomized cross-over trial showed no differences in optimal mandibular positioning and corresponding efficacy of MAD between subjective titration, DISE titration or PSG titration.

Changes in pneumatization of the maxillary air sinuses in Korean adults following biomimetic oral appliance therapy

Objective

For the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are often used. Since adults with a prognathic mandibular phenotype are at risk of developing an unfavorable facial profile, midfacial development using biomimetic oral appliance therapy might provide a suitable alternative. However, the effect of this procedure on the maxillary air sinuses is unknown; therefore, changes in sinus pneumatization were investigated in this study.

Methods

After obtaining informed consent, 16 consecutive Korean adults with midfacial hypoplasia had 3D cone-beam (CB) CT scans taken, and biomimetic upper appliances (DNA appliance®, Vivos Therapeutics, Inc., USA) were constructed.

All subjects were instructed to wear the device 12–16 h/day. Each month, examination for the progress of midfacial development was recorded. Post-treatment, a follow-up 3D CBCT scan was undertaken with no device in the patient's mouth. Pre- and post-treatment linear and volumetric measurements were obtained using appropriate software, and compared statistically using t-tests.

Results

The mean age of the sample was 25.0 yrs ± 8.7. The mean treatment time was 15.5 mths ± 5.2. Post-treatment, the transpalatal bone width increased from 35.3 mm ± 3.0 to 38.5 mm ± 2.0 (P < 0.001); the maxillary air sinus volume on the left side increased from 18.8 cm³ ± 6.5 to 20.0 cm³ ± 6.0 (P < 0.05), and from 18.5 cm³ ± 5.7 to 19.7 cm³ ± 5.8 (P < 0.05) on the right side.

Conclusions

Biomimetic oral appliance therapy may be able to increase the maxillary air sinus volume in adults. In view of these preliminary findings, further studies on the effect of enhanced pneumatization on paranasal sinus function and sleep parameters are warranted.

Avoiding and Managing Oral Appliance Therapy Side Effects

There is a serious need to consider all potential side effects thoughtfully before commencing individual treatment with oral appliance therapy. Although many of these side effects are self-limiting, easily corrected, or innocuous, others are difficult or impossible to correct and can affect the patient in serious ways. As this field evolves, new information is discovered, and new products are introduced at a rather rapid pace, continuing education and prudent practice are critical to ethical care in the practice of dental sleep medicine.

The role of sleep endoscopy in oral appliance therapy for obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVE

Although oral appliance therapy is considered a validated treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, its therapeutic success varies significantly among patients. Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is often employed in order to identify candidates for upper airway surgery; however, it remains unknown whether its findings can be associated with success of oral appliance therapy. This study tested the hypothesis that drug-induced sleep endoscopy variables can predict the outcome of oral appliance therapy in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

METHODS

Forty-nine obstructive sleep apnea patients [45 men; mean apnea-hypopnea index 25.3 ± 7.5 events/h; mean body mass index 28.2 ± 3.0 kg/m²] underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy, followed by a one-month of oral appliance therapy, and subsequently a follow-up polysomnography to assess outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients (67.3%) were responders and sixteen were non-responders (32.6%). Non-responders had a higher occurrence of complete or partial circumferential collapse at velum in comparison with responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, among baseline clinical and polysomnographic characteristics and sleep endoscopy findings, the presence of complete circumferential collapse at velum and increased body mass index were the only independent predictors of oral appliance therapy failure.

CONCLUSION

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy can be used to predict a higher likelihood of success to oral appliance therapy in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

A stepwise titration protocol for oral appliance therapy in positional obstructive sleep apnea patients: proof of concept

Purpose

In patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA), oral appliance therapy (OAT) is among the first-line treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a new standardized stepwise titration protocol for OAT in a group of patients with POSA.

Methods

This was an observational intervention trial. Patients who were previously randomized to the OAT intervention arm of a comparison study comprised the subjects for this study. These patients, who had mild to moderate POSA, were assessed after 3 and 12 months for treatment efficacy, objective adherence by temperature microsensor, and side effects. The titration of OAT was performed using a standardized stepwise titration protocol including advancement levels of 60%, 75%, and 90% of the maximum mandibular protrusion. The optimal advancement level per individual was based on a weighted compromise between efficacy and side effects.

Results

In total, 36 patients were included and all completed the titration protocol after 3 months. At baseline, the OAT was set at 60% of the maximal mandibular protrusion position. At a 3-month evaluation, the advancement remained at 60% in 16 patients (44%) and reached 75% advancement in 20 patients (56%). Mean apnea-hypopnea index decreased from 12.9 events per hour (9.1–16.7) to 6.9 (3.7–10.3) (P < 0.001), and median objective adherence was 97.4 (61.4–100.00) after 3 months. The 12-month analysis showed consistent results and good OAT tolerance. Six patients (16.7%) terminated OAT and one patient (2.8%) was lost to follow-up.

Conclusions

This standardized stepwise titration protocol for OAT showed good efficacy, good OAT tolerance, and good objective adherence in patients with mild to moderate POSA. Therefore, the protocol is recommended in research projects to improve standardization of methods between studies and in clinical practice for its practical feasibility.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s11325-020-02045-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Avoiding and Managing Oral Appliance Therapy Side Effects

There is a serious need to consider all potential side effects thoughtfully before commencing individual treatment with oral appliance therapy. Although many of these side effects are self-limiting, easily corrected, or innocuous, others are difficult or impossible to correct and can affect the patient in serious ways. As this field evolves, new information is discovered, and new products are introduced at a rather rapid pace, continuing education and prudent practice are critical to ethical care in the practice of dental sleep medicine.

Durability of treatment effects of the Sleep Position Trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) is a new option for treating patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA). This study investigated long-term efficacy, adherence, and quality of life during use of the SPT device compared with oral appliance therapy (OAT) in patients with POSA.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter trial randomized patients with mild to moderate POSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 5-30/h) to SPT or OAT. Polysomnography was performed at baseline and after 3 and 12 months' follow-up. The primary endpoint was OSA severity; adherence, quality of life, and adverse events were also assessed.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were randomized and 58 completed the study (29 in each group). Median AHI in the SPT group decreased from 13.2/h at baseline to 7.1/h after 12 months (P < 0.001); corresponding values in the OAT group were 13.4/h and 5.0/h (P < 0.001), with no significant between-group difference (P = 1.000). Improvements throughout the study were maintained at 12 months. Long-term median adherence was also similar in the two treatment groups; the proportion of patients who used their device for ≥ 4 h for 5 days in a week was 100% in the SPT group and 97.0% in the OAT group (P = 0.598).

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of SPT therapy was maintained over 12 months and was comparable to that of OAT in patients with mild to moderate POSA. Adherence was relatively high, and similar in the two groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02045576).

Restoration of sleep using a novel biomimetic protocol for adult OSA: Clinical case report

BACKGROUND

A sleep study of a 56-year old male with excessive daytime sleepiness demonstrated an AHI of 16.4hr^-1 with 13% of total sleep time in REM sleep and a mean oxygen desaturation (SpO₂) of 86%.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

On intra-oral examination, it was found that the patient had maxillary hypoplasia and bilateral torus mandibularis. A 3D cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan was taken, and 28 craniofacial parameters were measured. Surgical reduction of the mandibular tori followed by biomimetic oral appliance therapy (BOAT) was initiated. After 14 months, a post-treatment CBCT scan revealed that 70% of parameters measured had improved. Therefore, another sleep study was performed with no device in the mouth. This follow-up home sleep test demonstrated that the AHI fell to 5.3hr^-1hr; with 27% REM sleep, and a mean SpO₂ of 93% without any device in the mouth.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that BOAT might be able to restore sleep in certain adult cases.

Qualitative assessment of awake nasopharyngoscopy for prediction of oral appliance treatment response in obstructive sleep apnoea

PURPOSE

Clinical methods to identify responders to oral appliance (OA) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are needed. Awake nasopharyngoscopy during mandibular advancement, with image capture and subsequent processing and analysis, may predict treatment response. A qualitative assessment of awake nasopharyngoscopy would be simpler for clinical practice. We aimed to determine if a qualitative classification system of nasopharyngoscopic observations reflects treatment response.

METHODS

OSA patients were recruited for treatment with a customised two-piece OA. A custom scoring sheet was used to record observations of the pharyngeal airway (velopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx) during supine nasopharyngoscopy in response to mandibular advancement and performance of the Müller manoeuvre. Qualitative scores for degree (< 25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, > 75%), collapse pattern (concentric, anteroposterior, lateral) and diameter change (uniform, anteroposterior, lateral) were recorded. Treatment outcome was confirmed by polysomnography after a titration period of 14.6 ± 9.8 weeks. Treatment response was defined as (1) Treatment AHI < 5, (2) Treatment AHI < 10 plus > 50% AHI reduction and (3) > 50% AHI reduction.

RESULTS

Eighty OSA patients (53.8% male) underwent nasopharyngoscopy. The most common naspharyngoscopic observation with mandibular advancement was a small (< 50%) increase in velopharyngeal lateral diameter (37.5%). The majority of subjects (72.5%) were recorded as having > 75% velopharyngeal collapse on performance of the Müller manoeuvre. Mandibular advancement reduced the observed level of pharyngeal collapse at all three pharyngeal regions (p < 0.001). None of the nasopharyngoscopic qualitative scores differed between responder and non-responder groups.

CONCLUSION

Qualitative assessment of awake nasopharyngoscopy appears useful for assessing the effect of mandibular advancement on upper airway collapsibility. However, it is not sensitive enough to predict oral appliance treatment outcome.

Oral Appliances in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Oral appliance therapy (OAT) has become an increasingly popular nonsurgical option for the treatment of obstructive sleep disorders. Recent research supports its efficacy and high levels of compliance for patients with obstructive sleep disorders. Common side effects of OAT include temporomandibular joint-related symptoms, bite changes, and tooth movement. These side effects can be minimized by the use of exercises. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have released joint clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with OAT.

Management of obstructive sleep apnea in edentulous patients: an overview of the literature

Purpose

A high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is seen in edentulous individuals. Treatment options for edentulous OSA patients however are limited with continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) remaining the current therapy of choice. As CPAP is associated with high non-adherence rates and oral appliance therapy requiring sufficient dentition, there is a clinical need for effective treatment strategies aimed at edentulous OSA patients. The purpose of this study was to present a thorough overview of the literature regarding (1) the effects of nocturnal denture wearing on OSA, (2) the outcomes of oral appliance therapy, and (3) surgical treatment in edentulous OSA patients.

Methods

A computer-assisted literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database on “edentulism” and “obstructive sleep apnea.” The search yielded a total of 34 original articles.

Results

A total of 20 studies were included after exclusion of non-relevant, duplicate, and non-English publications, comprising 4 randomized clinical trials, 12 case reports, and 4 cohort or cross-sectional studies. The outcomes of these studies were addressed in detail concerning nocturnal wearing of dentures, oral appliance therapy, and surgical treatment.

Conclusion

Currently, there is no consensus in the literature on the effects of nocturnal wearing of dentures on OSA. Several studies report the successful use of oral appliance therapy, including implant-retained mandibular advancement devices (MADs), in selected cases of edentulous patients with varying stages of OSA. Little evidence is available regarding outcomes of surgical procedures in edentulous patients. Based on the results of this literature overview, the paucity of effective evidence-based treatment strategies for edentulous OSA patients indicates the further need of clinical studies to improve clinical management.

Initial Evaluation of a Titration Appliance for Temporary Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background

Custom oral appliances that adjustably advance the mandible provide superior outcomes when treating patients with moderate or severe sleep apnea. Custom appliances, however, are expensive, must be fitted by a dentist, and the likelihood of successful outcomes are difficult to predict. An inexpensive trial appliance, if proven efficacious, might be used to predict custom appliance outcomes or to provide temporary therapeutic benefit.

Objective

The aim of this initial study was to assess the treatment efficacy of a novel titration oral appliance with that of an optimized custom appliance.

Methods

Seventeen patients, treated with a custom oral appliance for at least one year, successfully completed a three-night home sleep test. The baseline obstructive sleep apnea severity was established on Night 1 with seven patients exhibiting severe, six moderate and four mild apnea/hypopnea indexes. Patients were randomly assigned to wear their custom appliance or the titration appliance on Nights 2 and 3.

Results

Significant reductions in the mean overall and supine apnea indexes (p < 0.05), and the overall (p < 0.01) and supine (p < 0.05) apnea/hypopnea indexes were observed for both the titration and custom appliances. The proportion of patients who exhibited at least a 50% reduction in the overall apnea index and supine apnea/hypopnea were similar for the titration and custom appliance (~60%). The custom appliance reduced the overall apnea/hypopnea index by 50% in a greater proportion of the patients compared to the titration appliance (77% vs. 53%). The titration appliance significantly reduced the degree of hypoxic exposure across sleep disordered breathing events overall (p < 0.05) and supine (p < 0.01). Patients found their custom appliance was more comfortable than the titration appliance, but preferred the titration appliance to no therapy.

Conclusion

The titration appliance may be useful in assessing oral appliance treatment efficacy. When set to 70% of maximum protrusion, the titration appliance may provide immediate, temporary therapeutic benefit.