Feasibility and preliminary efficacy results for WePAP: A transdiagnostic, couples-based intervention to promote positive airway pressure adherence and patient and partner sleep health.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of WePAP, a novel, couples-based treatment to promote positive airway pressure adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep quality in patients and partners.

METHODS

Patients who were recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and intended to start positive airway pressure and their partners completed pre-treatment self-report measures of study constructs and actigraphy. Couples were randomly assigned to WePAP or information control groups. Post-PAP assessments and adherence downloads were completed at 1 month and 3 months. Primary analyses evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy between the WePAP and information control groups. Secondary analyses examined between- and within-group changes in sleep, mood, and quality of life.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 37 midlife and older adults (n=74, age m=62.97; SD=9.04). WePAP couples were 100% adherent with the 3 sessions. Compared with the information control group, patients and partners in WePAP rated the intervention more favorably and were more satisfied. Positive airway pressure adherence was high in both groups and the difference was not statistically significant (PAP use ≥4h=76% in WePAP and 72% in information control at 3 months). There were significant within-group differences for sleep quality, such that patients in both groups showed significant improvements in self-reported sleep, mood, and quality of life at 3 months. Patients in both groups showed improvements in sleep-related daytime impairment; however, only partners in the WePAP group showed improvement in sleep-related daytime impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that WePAP is feasible and well-liked by patients and partners, but it did not demonstrate greater adherence or improved sleep quality in this sample of highly adherent patients. Future studies should examine longer-term outcomes and enroll patients at greater risk for nonadherence to positive airway pressure.