Using Telemedicine to Improve Veteran Sleep Apnea Care
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01259440 |
Recruitment Status
:
Completed
First Posted
: December 14, 2010
Results First Posted
: November 4, 2015
Last Update Posted
: November 4, 2015
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Sleep Apnea Syndromes | Behavioral: Video Teleconferencing Care Behavioral: Usual Care | Phase 1 Phase 2 |
Background:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in the Veteran population given the risk factors of male gender, being overweight, and increasing age. OSA is caused by upper airway obstruction, resulting in arousals from sleep and hypoxia. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a highly efficacious treatment for OSA, compliance with treatment is suboptimal. Because research shows that adherence patterns are established early in treatment, we seek to use a technology that enables early and frequent productive interactions between patient and provider
Objectives:
The objective of this proposal is to explore the feasibility and initially evaluate the potential efficacy of a video teleconferencing system for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome (OSA) that facilitates patient- centered, collaborative management for patients who are prescribed the gold-standard treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Methods:
The evaluative aspect of this proposal was designed as a pilot randomized, controlled clinical trial of Video Teleconferencing (VTC) compared to Usual Care (UC). The key feature of the Video Teleconferencing intervention was the use of a telemedicine system that allows for audio/visual conferencing with the patient in their home environment from the start of treatment initialization. The provider is able provide more direct feedback to the patient based on the telemedicine interaction, and the patient benefits from increased contact with the provider. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria included: age > 18 years; confirmed diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA; being newly prescribed CPAP therapy; having chronic symptoms as noted on screening symptom checklist; and fluency in English. Patients were recruited from the VA San Diego Healthcare System Pulmonary Sleep Clinic. Patients were enrolled for a 2-month time period. Groups were compared on quantitative and qualitative measures.
Status:
Study Complete
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 23 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Single (Participant) |
Primary Purpose: | Supportive Care |
Official Title: | Using Telemedicine to Improve Veteran Sleep Apnea Care |
Study Start Date : | August 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | March 2012 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | May 2012 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: Video Teleconferencing Care
Video teleconferencing care
|
Behavioral: Video Teleconferencing Care
The core component of the VTC intervention is the frequent contact between patient and provider using a telemedicine system that allows for audio-visual communication.
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Placebo Comparator: Usual Care
Usual Care
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Behavioral: Usual Care
Consists of one week telephone call and one month clinic visit
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- Treatment Adherence [ Time Frame: 2 months ]Nightly CPAP adherence measured over the two-month period .

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Senior) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea
- Live in San Diego County
- Veteran
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous use of positive pressure airway therapy
- Residence outside of San Diego county

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01259440
United States, California | |
VA San Diego Healthcare System | |
San Diego, California, United States, 92161 |
Principal Investigator: | Carl J Stepnowsky, PhD | San Diego Veterans Healthcare System |
Responsible Party: | VA Office of Research and Development |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01259440 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
PPO 10-101 H130392 ( Other Identifier: VA San Diego Healthcare System ) |
First Posted: | December 14, 2010 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | November 4, 2015 |
Last Update Posted: | November 4, 2015 |
Last Verified: | October 2015 |
Keywords provided by VA Office of Research and Development:
Telemedicine continuous positive airway pressure treatment adherence |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Apnea Sleep Apnea Syndromes Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory |
Signs and Symptoms Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Dyssomnias Sleep Wake Disorders Nervous System Diseases |