Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 22 and up

Comparing Upper Airway Stimulation and CPAP for Sleep Apnea

Official title: Head to Head Comparison of Upper Airway Stimulation and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; a Pilot Study.

Run by Thomas Jefferson University · NCT04191512 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether a new treatment called Upper Airway Stimulation works better than the standard CPAP machine for people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages22 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment50 (estimated)
SponsorThomas Jefferson University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 19, 2019
Main results expectedJune 30, 2027
Study endsJune 30, 2027
Registry record updatedSeptember 29, 2026
Trial IDNCT04191512 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults over 22 years old with a history of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have either undergone UAS implantation or can tolerate CPAP.

Probably not a fit

Patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea or those who have not undergone UAS implantation or cannot tolerate CPAP may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It will utilize a full night polysomnographic evaluation to assess the outcomes of both treatments in a pilot cohort. Participants will either have undergone UAS implantation or have successfully tolerated CPAP therapy. The goal is to provide a direct comparison of these two treatment modalities for OSA.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help identify the more effective treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on UAS and CPAP separately, this head-to-head comparison is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age greater than 22 years old
* History of moderate to severe OSA (AHI 15-65)
* UAS implantation with postoperative titration and demonstrated successful use of therapy or has demonstrated the ability to tolerate CPAP for greater than 4 hours per night 5 days per week.

Exclusion Criteria:

* none

Where it's running

  • Thomas Jefferson University Department of Otolaryngology
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.