Can Auditory Stimulation Improve Sleep Apnea?

Abstract

Recent advancements in the field of acoustic stimulation have shown promising effects on the autonomic nervous system, influencing parameters such as heart rate [1] and cognitive performance [2]. In this study, we analyzed polygraphy data from patients with heart failure related central sleep apnea. We compared the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) during a baseline night with that during a night where acoustic stimulation was applied for 40 minutes before bedtime. Seven out of eight patients showed a significant reduction in AHI during the intervention night (p < 0.01). These preliminary findings suggest that further investigation in a more controlled environment is warranted.

Keywords

• acoustic stimulation
• central sleep apnea
• auditory stimulation
• ahi