Reducing sleep apnea disparities to improve heart and diabetes health

A Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Disparities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Related Cardiometabolic Outcomes

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11163473

This project gives CPAP plus motivational coaching to Black and Hispanic adults with obstructive sleep apnea to help them stick with treatment and improve blood pressure, blood sugar, and quality of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163473 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you'll be screened for sleep apnea at community clinics and, if eligible, randomly assigned to receive usual care or PAP plus motivational enhancement therapy. The program pairs positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment with motivational coaching based on motivational interviewing to boost adherence. Researchers will track PAP use, blood pressure, glucose measures, and quality of life over time. The trial focuses on Black and Hispanic adults seen in Federally Qualified Health Centers to address access and system-level barriers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Black or Hispanic adults (age 21 and older) with obstructive sleep apnea, especially those receiving care at community or Federally Qualified Health Centers and willing to try PAP therapy, are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without obstructive sleep apnea, children, or adults who cannot or will not use PAP are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more patients keep using PAP and lower blood pressure and improve blood sugar control and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show motivational interviewing can improve PAP adherence and PAP can improve blood pressure and metabolic markers, but combining these approaches in underserved clinic settings is less tested.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.