Using Telemedicine to Improve Veteran Sleep Apnea Care

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the Veteran population given the risk factors of male gender, being overweight, and increasing age. OSA is caused by upper airway obstruction, resulting in arousals from sleep and hypoxia. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for OSA, compliance with treatment is suboptimal. Because research shows that adherence patterns are established early in treatment, we seek to use a technology that enables early and frequent productive interactions between patient and provider.

Detailed Description
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Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the Veteran population given the risk factors of male gender, being overweight, and increasing age. OSA is caused by upper airway obstruction, resulting in arousals from sleep and hypoxia. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for OSA, compliance with treatment is suboptimal. Because research shows that adherence patterns are established early in treatment, we seek to use a technology that enables early and frequent productive interactions between patient and provider Objectives: The objective of this proposal is to explore the feasibility and initially evaluate the potential efficacy of a video teleconferencing system for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (OSA) that facilitates patient- centered, collaborative management for patients who are prescribed the gold-standard treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Methods: The evaluative aspect of this proposal was designed as a pilot randomized, controlled clinical trial of Video Teleconferencing (VTC) compared to Usual Care (UC). The key feature of the Video Teleconferencing intervention was the use of a telemedicine system that allows for audio/visual conferencing with the patient in their home environment from the start of treatment initialization. The provider is able provide more direct feedback to the patient based on the telemedicine interaction, and the patient benefits from increased contact with the provider. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria included: age > 18 years; confirmed diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA; being newly prescribed CPAP therapy; having chronic symptoms as noted on screening symptom checklist; and fluency in English. Patients were recruited from the VA San Diego Healthcare System Pulmonary Sleep Clinic. Patients were enrolled for a 2-month time period. Groups were compared on quantitative and qualitative measures. Status: Study Complete

Official Title
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Using Telemedicine to Improve Veteran Sleep Apnea Care

Conditions
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Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Video Teleconferencing Care
* Behavioral: Usual Care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea Live in San Diego County Veteran Exclusion Criteria: Previous use of positive pressure airway therapy Residence outside of San Diego county

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Video Teleconferencing Care<br>Video teleconferencing care | Behavioral: Video Teleconferencing Care<br>* The core component of the VTC intervention is the frequent contact between patient and provider using a telemedicine system that allows for audio-visual communication.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Usual Care<br>Usual Care | Behavioral: Usual Care<br>* Consists of one week telephone call and one month clinic visit<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Treatment Adherence | Nightly CPAP adherence measured over the two-month period . | 2 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Telemedicine, continuous positive airway pressure, treatment adherence