The POSA Trial: Does positional therapy, delivered by a small vibrating neck device, improve the health and well-being of patients with positional obstructive sleep apnoea?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN51740863 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN51740863 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | CPMS: 42612 |
- Submission date
- 23/09/2019
- Registration date
- 02/10/2019
- Last edited
- 01/11/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Respiratory
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) affects one in ten adults in the UK. It occurs when muscles in the upper airway relax during sleep, and the airway becomes partially or completely blocked. Breathing restarts when the person wakes up, but frequent night-time awakenings cause daytime sleepiness. It can also cause long-term heart problems, and in older people increases the risk of having a stroke.
The best treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP); it blows air into the lung to prevent the airway closing, which in turn improves sleep, and quality of life and reduces negative health risks. However, CPAP can be uncomfortable and difficult to use, especially for older people.
Sleeping on the back makes breathing worse for some patients with OSA, and can even be the cause of OSA in others, due to the effect of gravity on the upper airway. New technology has resulted in devices that use gentle vibrational feedback from position sensors to prevent people sleeping on their backs.
Therefore, this study aims to determine whether Positional Therapy, using a small vibrating device fitted to the neck, can help to stop people from sleeping on their backs, and whether this helps to reduce the severity of their OSA. We also want to determine whether patients feel better and how easy the treatment is to use. We also want to compare the effect in older and younger people.
Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 or older with OSA and their partners or carers
What does the study involve?
Adult patients with positional OSA will be recruited from sleep centres across the UK Respiratory Sleep Research Network. Positional OSA will be measured by a home sleep study. Eligible patients will attend two hospital visits at their local sleep centre; one at baseline and one at 3 months. At baseline, patients will be given the opportunity to try a Positional Therapy device (NightShift™; Advanced Brain Medical, US); a small vibrating device fitted around the neck. The device has a position sensor that detects when the patient attempts to lie on their back; it will then give gentle vibration feedback until the patient rolls off their back again. The device has 2 different modes; patients will be randomly allocated to receive either THERAPY mode, or MONITOR mode. The MONITOR mode will be a sham and will not give therapy but will continue to monitor sleep patterns for 3 months; ie. like a placebo.
Patients will wear the Positional Therapy device each night, for 3 months, while they sleep. After 4 nights, patients will be contacted by the Trial Sleep Therapist to discuss their experiences and help troubleshoot any difficulties. Ongoing support will be offered.
At baseline and at 3 months, the patients’ subjective symptoms, wellbeing and quality of life, will be assessed by questionnaires; including questions about sleep quality, tiredness, energy, fatigue, mood and frailty. Partners or carers’ perspective will also be captured by questionnaire. A repeat home sleep study while using the NightShift device, at 3 months, will measure the effect of the therapy on the severity of OSA. Adherence to therapy will also be measured by the NightShift™ device.
At the end of the trial, patients will return to routine clinical care at their local centre and will discuss ongoing treatment options with their local team. All patients may keep the Positional Therapy device, at their own responsibility and risk. Those who were in the MONITOR mode, will be swapped to the THERAPY mode
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits of positional therapy in OSA have not been fully determined, which is our reason for carrying out the study. It is possible that patients may experience improvements in their sleep and subsequently in their quality of life when using the vibration device. Patients might experience an improvement in their snoring, as well as their breathing at night, and so we are also interested in any benefits that bed partners might experience.
Positional therapy is known to be a safe treatment that is well tolerated with very few side effects. Occasionally patients have reported discomfort in the neck or shoulders as a result of sleeping on their sides, particularly if their pillow(s) are too flat.
If patients receive the sham therapy, they may or may not notice an improvement in their symptoms. But at the end of the 3 months, they will have the opportunity to try the device in THERAPY mode to decide if it is a suitable treatment.
Where is the study run from?
Royal Brompton Hospital, UK
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2019 to November 2022
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), UK
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Julia Kelly, j.kelly@rbht.nhs.uk
2. Patrik Pettersson, p.pettersson@rbht.nhs.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Clinical and Academic Department of Sleep and Breathing
National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London
Royal Brompton Hospital
London
SW3 6NP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)207 3528121 |
|---|---|
| j.kelly@rbht.nhs.uk |
Scientific
Research Office
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
London
SW3 6NP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)207 3528121 ext.88763 |
|---|---|
| p.pettersson@rbht.nhs.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Randomized; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Device |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial to assess the effect on health and wellbeing in older and younger people |
| Study acronym | POSA |
| Study hypothesis | Our primary objective is to determine the change in OSA severity, (defined by the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) - number of breathing events every hour) 3 months post Positional Therapy in patients with positional OSA, compared to a control group (Sham-Positional Therapy) Our Secondary Objectives are: . To determine the difference in treatment effect between older (.65 years) and younger patients . To determine the change in quality of life and symptoms of OSA, from baseline (pre-treatment) to 3 months post positional therapy in patients with positional OSA, compared to Sham-Positional Therapy, in older compared to younger patients . To determine the change in sleeping position and objective sleep-disordered breathing from baseline (pretreatment) to 3 months post positional therapy in patients with positional OSA, compared to Sham-Positional Therapy, in older compared to younger patients . To compare treatment adherence and comfort in older compared to younger subjects . To determine the partner/ carers' perspectives of Positional Therapy . To investigate the cost-consequences of positional therapy in patients with positional OSA, compared to Sham-Positional Therapy |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 24/07/2019, York and Humber-South Yorkshire NRES committee (NHSBT Newcastle Blood Donor Centre, Holland Drive, HRA Jarrow, NE2 4NQ; +44 (0)207 104 8225; nrescommittee.yorkandhumber-southyorks@nhs.net), ref: 19/YH/0222 |
| Condition | Obstructive sleep apnoea |
| Intervention | This is a prospective, randomised, double-blinded parallel trial; Patients with positional OSA will be randomized to receive either Positional Therapy or Sham-Positional Therapy for 3 months. Study duration is expected to be 13 weeks for each participant; 1 week for sleep study testing and baseline visit, plus 12 weeks of 'therapy'. Screening: Patients will be screened using a home sleep study (Apnealink Air; ResMed, Australia). If the study shows the patient is eligible, an information sheet will be offered and written Informed Consent will be obtained. For sites with an alternative first-line sleep monitoring device, consent will be sought before providing the trial specific Apnoealink Air home sleep study to patients with suspected positional OSA. Baseline Visit: Participants will be given an opportunity to try the Night Shift™ device; including education on fitting and wearing, charging, and care. We have included a 10 minute run-in period where patients will self-fit the device, under instruction, and will experience the vibration sensation. The ability to tolerate the device during the run-in forms part of our study inclusion criteria. Participants may decline participation should they still have concerns about their use of the device. Baseline demographics will be collected and a basic medical history. Participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires on sleep quality, tiredness, energy, fatigue, mood and frailty, which will take 45-60 minutes to complete. Participants will then be randomised (Positional Therapy or Sham-Positional Therapy) by an unblinded staff member, other than the researcher/ clinician who is managing the patient. Randomisation will be performed using an online computer-generated randomisation schedule supplied by Oxford Respiratory Trials Unit, with minimisation based on age group, and OSA severity. Both participant and researcher will remain blinded to the study arm. Participants will be asked to wear their device nightly. The device will be set to either 'TRIAL' (first night monitoring, vibration feedback from second night onwards) or 'MONITOR' (monitoring only, no vibration feedback). Lack of vibration in the sham arm will be accepted because vibration is delivered when the patient is asleep, and then the device adapts feedback intensity to minimize awakenings, therefore patients are not always aware of the delivered vibrations. Approximately one third of our patients report being unaware of the nocturnal vibrational feedback. Monitoring and follow-up: To ensure consistent follow-up, all participants will be contacted after 4 nights (one night monitoring, 3 nights on Positional Therapy or Sham) by a blinded central Trial Sleep Therapist to discuss their experiences and troubleshoot difficulties. Three month follow-up: Participants in both arms will attend their local service for their follow-up visit. Prior to this visit, participants will be posted the home sleep study kit (Apnoealink Air) to perform a repeat home sleep study while wearing the Night Shift™ device. At the visit, participants will repeat the baseline questionnaires and their sleep study data and Positional Therapy data will be downloaded. The participant's participation in the trial is then complete. Patients will revert to routine clinical care at their local centre. Patients who wish to continue the treatment will be permitted to keep the device (free of charge; however because this device is not yet available through the NHS, continued use will be at the patients' own risk). Participants in the sham arm will also then have the opportunity to use the device in THERAPY mode and may also keep the device if they feel it is beneficial. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Pharmaceutical study type(s) | |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | - |
| Primary outcome measure | OSA severity measured by the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI; number of breathing events per hour of sleep) at baseline and 3 months |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Objective Sleep measures: 1.1 Overnight oxygenation (SaO2) measured by respiratory polygraphy (home sleep test) at baseline and 3 months 2. Quality of life and symptoms of OSA at baseline (pre-treatment) to 3 months (post-Positional Therapy): 2.1 Daytime sleepiness measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at baseline and 3 months 2.2 Anxiety and Depression measured by the Hospital, Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline and 3 months 2.3 Healthcare Utilisation measured by a Healthcare Contacts Questionnaire and by the Euroquol (EQ-5D) Questionnaire at baseline and 3 months 2.4 Quality of Life measured by the Short Form-36 (SF-36; specifically Energy and Vitality) at baseline and 3 months 2.5 Independent Functioning measured by the Townsend Disability Scale at baseline and 3 months 2.6 Sleep Quality and daytime functioning measured by the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline and 3 months 3. Positional Therapy: 3.1 Comfort and tolerance of the Positional Therapy device measured using a Visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 months 3.2 Adherence measured by the NightShift device (hours per night; number of nights used) over 3 months (90 days) 3.3 Sleeping position (including % time supine) measured by the Nightshift device at baseline and 3 months |
| Overall study start date | 01/07/2019 |
| Overall study end date | 30/11/2022 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 138; UK Sample Size: 138 |
| Total final enrolment | 120 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Aged > = 18 years 2. Ability and willingness to provide informed consent 3. AHI > 5 events/hour (AASM 2012 scoring criteria) with events occurring at a frequency of 2:1 when supine, compared to non-supine; total % supine sleep > 20, < 90% of total sleep; central apnoeas < 20% total apnoeas; recording of > = 4 hours of analysable signals 4. Ability to fit and tolerate wearing the device around the neck during treatment demonstration and initiation |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Unstable cardiac disease 2. Cardiac arrhythmia corrected with an artificial pacemaker 3. Supplemental oxygen 4. Secondary sleep pathology e.g. Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome, Narcolepsy, Circadian Disorder, Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome; or shift workers 5. Concerns about sleepy driving or any other potentially dangerous symptom from physician 6. BMI > = 40 kg/m2 7. Inability to sleep in a non-supine position 8. Skin sensitivity or an open wound around neck 9. Neck circumference < 12inches (30cm) or > 22inches (55cm) 10. Tics or tremors of the head 11. Sleep with head in upright position 12. A female of child-bearing potential that is pregnant or intends to become pregnant |
| Recruitment start date | 07/10/2019 |
| Recruitment end date | 01/11/2021 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centres
Sydney Street
London
SW3 6NP
United Kingdom
Headley Way
Headington
Oxford
OX3 9DU
United Kingdom
Freeman Road
High Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom
Fazakerley Hospital
Lower Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom
Pond Street
London
NW3 2QG
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
London
SW3 6NP
England
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)207 3528121 |
|---|---|
| P.Pettersson@rbht.nhs.uk | |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/02218z997 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/12/2024 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol file | version 7.0 | 24/08/2022 | 17/10/2022 | No | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Additional files
Editorial Notes
01/11/2024: The intention to publish date was changed from 01/10/2024 to 01/12/2024.
19/06/2024: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/12/2023 to 01/10/2024.
15/09/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/09/2023 to 30/12/2023.
29/03/2023: The intention to publish date was changed from 01/03/2023 to 30/09/2023.
17/10/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Uploaded protocol (not peer-reviewed) as an additional file.
2. The overall end date was changed from 30/09/2022 to 30/11/2022.
3. The total final enrolment was added.
08/04/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. One of the scientific contact's details have been changed.
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 01/03/2022 to 30/09/2022 and the plain English summary updated accordingly.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 30/04/2022 to 01/03/2023.
23/09/2019: Trial's existence confirmed by the NIHR.
