COMMunication and Education for the New CPAP Experience
COMMunication and Education for the New CPAP Experience
The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of a couple-oriented education
 and support intervention on patient- and partner -reported outcomes (positive airway pressure
 (PAP) adherence) in patients newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is an effective treatment for obstructive
 sleep apnea (OSA), but adherence is poor. CPAP adherence interventions to date have been met
 with limited success. Intervention strategies would be optimized by added support for
 patients and alternative strategies for intervention delivery. Significant others (SO) are
 likely to exert positive and negative effects on the patient's adoption and use of positive
 airway pressure (PAP) therapy and are frequently described as the greatest source of social
 support for patients with chronic illness. Beginning the intervention before PAP initiation
 would capitalize on the teachable moment shortly following diagnosis when education and
 social support may be most essential. The aims of the research plan are to examine the
 effects of a couple-oriented education and support intervention on patient- and
 partner-reported outcomes as compared to a patient-oriented education and support
 intervention and usual care and to examine the relationship between PAP adherence and
 patients' and partners' sleep quality and daytime functioning. Patients in the pilot study
 will be randomized to the couple-oriented intervention, patient-oriented intervention, or
 standard clinical care group.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Patient:

 -  Age is 21 years of age and older

 -  Have spouse or partner

 -  Polysomnographically (PSG) diagnosed OSA (AHI ≥ 5)

 -  Choice of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as preferred treatment

 Partner:

 -  Age is 18 years of age and older

 -  Have spouse or partner who has been diagnosed with OSA and has chosen CPAP as
 preferred treatment

 Exclusion Criteria:

 Patient:

 -  AHI < 5 on the diagnostic PSG

 -  Have a spouse or partner with OSA diagnosis and on OSA treatment

 -  Past treatment for OSA

 -  Diagnosis of a sleep disorder other than OSA that cause arousals from sleep (e.g.,
 central sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, insomnia)

 -  Diagnosis of a serious medical condition (e.g., end stage renal failure, severe
 chronic obstructive lung disease, severe asthma)

 -  History of or current diagnosis of a major psychiatric illness except depression
 (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) partner:

 -  Have been diagnosed with OSA and using CPAP