Validation of the efficacy of an anti-snoring pillow

The aim of the study is to test the functionality of a prototype anti snoring pillow (position “forced supine”) on three-dimensional tissues “spacer” in order to assess the possible reduction of snoring and the possible reduction of respiratory events (apneas/ hypopneas). 15 patients have participated. Each had 2 full PSG studies evaluating the intensity and frequency of snoring by sound and visual recording of the patient’s sleep. Also examined were the quality and quantity of sleep (using EEG and EOG), respiratory activity via cannula, thermistor and thoracic and abdominal bands, the number of respiratory events (apneas, hypopneas), the level of oxygen desaturation and lower limb muscle activity (PLM) by EMG. We evaluated the subjective data of comfort and sleep quality of both the prototype and the usual pillow by patient questionnaire complted in the morning.. The results appear as numbers and percentages. No differences were observed in the macrostructure of sleep, or sleep efficiency between the patient’s usual pillows and the prototype. There are no differences in assessing different types of comfort pillow (7.5 vs 7.4). As for the polysomnography values: The prototype reduces the AHI by 743%, the number of snoring by 2470%, the index snoring for hour in a 4369%, time snoring in 1759 min compared with the usual pillow. The average intensity of snoring is reduced by 51% with the prototype. With the usual pillow comfort was evaluated as greater than the prototype (9 vs 3.2). These values show that these pillows could be a valid treatment for mild to moderate apnea.