Sleep Breath 2004; 8(4): 201-207
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-860897
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Sleep Apnea Avoidance Pillow Effects on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and Snoring

Najeeb A. Zuberi1 , 2 , Kamel Rekab3 , Hal V. Nguyen2
  • 1Departments of Neurology, Florida Hospital, Kissimmee, Florida
  • 2Departments of Sleep Medicine, Florida Hospital, Kissimmee, Florida
  • 3Department of Computer Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 December 2004 (online)

ABSTRACT

The study was performed to determine the ability of a new inclined pillow to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The SONA Pillow® is a triangular pillow with space to place your arm under the head while sleeping on the side. Twenty-two patients with nocturnal polysomnogram (NPSG)-proven obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included in this study; the group included 11 mild, 8 moderate, and 3 severe sleep apnea patients. All patients had a second attended NPSG performed while utilizing this specific inclined pillow. The pillow was found to be an effective and easily used treatment for mild (respiratory disturbance index [RDI] 5 to 19) and moderate (RDI 20 to 40) obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. In this group, RDI ranged from 5.1 to 35.2 and decreased on the average from 17 events per hour to fewer than 5 events per hour while utilizing the inclined pillow (< 0.0001). Also, a statistically significant difference was noted in rapid eye movement (REM) RDI decrement in all patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea (p = 0.001) and the increase in SaO2 was also significant (p = 0.004). Overall, snoring was decreased or eliminated (p = 0.017). Conclusion: A uniquely designed pillow (SONA Pillow®) is effective in reducing the number of events in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Using this pillow also reduces snoring.

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Najeeb A ZuberiM.D. 

720 West Oak St., Ste. 210, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Email: doctorzuberi@yahoo.com