Positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is a disease with a high prevalence. New positional therapy devices could be a therapeutic alternative.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term effectiveness and tolerance of a positional therapy device in patients with POSA.

Retrospective, single-center, observational study of positional therapy using the SOMNIBEL® device (Sibel, Barcelona). POSA patients diagnosed in the Sleep Disorders Unit of Hospital Sant Pau (Barcelona) were included. The patients used the positional device for five nights and on the last one a control ambulatory polygraphy was performed.

40 subjects (30 male; mean age: 58.2 ± 12 years) were studied. The mean apnoea?hypopnoea index (AHI) was 25.1±10 per hour; 20% were severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The SOMNIBEL® tolerance was good in 75% of patients and 90% presented compliance > 6 hour per night. The rate of responding patients (global AHI <15 events/hour) was 47.5% (40% in the exclusive POSA group). The chest location of the device was a factor of good response (p= 0.011). AHI-non-supine increased in 66.7% of patients, higher in the group with exclusive POSA (OR=11, p=0.032).

The SOMNIBEL® postural device is a well-tolerated treatment. Efficacy improves with chest localization.
It?s recommended to monitor its effect taking into account the possibility of getting worse in the AHI-non-supine position.