Helping African American couples manage obstructive sleep apnea together
Official title: Engaging African American Couples in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-10882489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting support from your partner can help African American couples stick to their CPAP treatment for sleep apnea, and it will compare regular care with a special program designed to boost motivation and teamwork in using the CPAP machine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $737,140 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL169588-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10882489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are African American adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and their bed partners.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have obstructive sleep apnea or those who are not in a relationship may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving adherence to CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among African American couples. It involves a randomized controlled trial where couples will receive either standard care or a couple-oriented behavioral therapy intervention designed to enhance support and motivation for using CPAP. The study aims to understand how involving bed partners can positively influence treatment adherence and improve overall health outcomes. Participants will be recruited from two large urban healthcare systems in Cleveland.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved CPAP adherence and better health outcomes for African American patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that couple-oriented interventions can be effective in improving health outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thornton, John Daryl — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Thornton, John Daryl
Related research
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A study at the University of Pennsylvania will look for microRNA signs in the blood that reflect how bad sleep apnea is and how well CPAP therapy works for patients.
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A study to find better biomarkers for sleep apnea severity, especially in women, by monitoring people at home for a week and tracking daily mood and energy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.