Evaluating nondrug sleep apnea therapies Original paper

This study evaluated nondrug treatments in adults with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index score (a common metric for assessing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea) of at least 5.

• Positive airway pressure consistently outperformed other interventions in improving Apnea-Hypopnea Index scores, reducing daytime sleepiness, and enhancing quality of life, despite higher dropout rates.
• Mandibular advancement devices produced the largest improvement in depression symptoms and quality-of-life measures, although their effects on sleep-related metrics were less pronounced.
• Electrical neurostimulation was the most effective treatment for central sleep apnea (repeated pauses in breathing during sleep).
• Other interventions (including acupuncture, behavioral modifications, and surgery) showed modest benefits, although the supporting evidence was weaker.