ABSTRACT
Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices deliver a pressurized column of air to open the airway in patients with sleep apnea. For patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, PAP therapy is the gold standard for treatment, with demonstrated improvements in daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular measures that are superior to conservative treatments. For a variety of reasons, adherence to PAP therapy is a challenge for many patients, resulting in deficits in the frequency and duration of use. To improve use and compliance to therapy, several advanced features are available to enhance comfort, pressure, and humidification factors associated with PAP devices. Patient motivation strategies such as motivational interviews, desensitization protocols, and PAP “NAPs” are also being employed to improve adherence to therapy.
- © 2019 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
- Colleen G. Lance, MD⇑
- Medical Director, Sleep Laboratory, Hillcrest Hospital, Sleep Disorders Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic
- Correspondence:
Colleen G. Lance, MD, Sleep Disorders Center, Neurological Institute, S73, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195; lancec{at}ccf.org Dr. Lance reported no financial interests or relationships that pose a potential conflict of interest with this article.
ABSTRACT
Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices deliver a pressurized column of air to open the airway in patients with sleep apnea. For patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, PAP therapy is the gold standard for treatment, with demonstrated improvements in daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular measures that are superior to conservative treatments. For a variety of reasons, adherence to PAP therapy is a challenge for many patients, resulting in deficits in the frequency and duration of use. To improve use and compliance to therapy, several advanced features are available to enhance comfort, pressure, and humidification factors associated with PAP devices. Patient motivation strategies such as motivational interviews, desensitization protocols, and PAP “NAPs” are also being employed to improve adherence to therapy.
- © 2019 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.