Comparing Upper Airway Stimulation and CPAP for Sleep Apnea

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

Thomas Jefferson University · NCT04191512

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
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages22 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThomas Jefferson University (other)
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT04191512 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

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.

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.

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

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.