New Developments in at-Home OSA Testing

Good news for all those planning to use the at-home sleep apnea test (HSAT). Scientists found that they can learn how to use it through an online instruction video just as successfully as through in-person consultations. 

Typically, OSA-suspected patients receive their testing instructions in person. However, the success of the new telediagnostic method may change that in the future. 

The study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine evaluated the quality of at-home self-testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in two groups of OSA-suspected patients.

One group was given instructions on how to hook u the Nox T3 sleep apnea test in person (by a sleep technologist), while the other watched an online video guide on how to do so at home.

Results showed that both groups created satisfactory, even high-quality recordings of the four sensors that make up the at-home sleep apnea test. Namely, about 90% of the recordings obtained by 97 participants were free of artifacts!

Most importantly, there were no significant differences between the recordings in the two groups in terms of quality. 

OSA is a common sleep disorder and a known risk factor for many life-threatening chronic diseases. 

So, timely diagnosis of this disorder and correct treatment (e.g., using a quality CPAP machine)  is important in the prevention of cardiovascular incidents like stroke or heart failure. 

The increased awareness of this problem and the possibility of self-diagnosis through sleep-tracking wearables and similar innovations push the sleep apnea diagnostic systems market to new heights. 

As Future Market Insights (FMI) estimations show, the at-home sleep apnea test market is expected to reach $3.09 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of an astounding 14.4%. 

Finally, using online tools may greatly ease the treatment of people living in isolated areas. Plus, video guides are an excellent time-saving tactic for instructing patients in the use of HSAT.