Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapy
Alternative Treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Struggling to get a good night’s sleep can be frustrating and can leave you feeling tired and out of sorts. In some cases, the position you sleep in may dramatically impact your ability to breathe and exacerbate snoring and sleep apnea. The answer may lie in changing your sleeping position. Here at Comprehensive Sleep Care Center we have a treatment option that may work for you.
With positional obstructive sleep apnea, most symptoms occur when you sleep on your back. Now, there is a mask-free treatment that uses gentle vibrations, prompting you to shift to your side so you can get the rest you need.
Positional obstructive sleep apnea can affect as many as 49.5% of patients with mild sleep apnea and 19.4% of those with moderate sleep apnea
Determine Your Risk
You will need a sleep study to document any sleep apnea events, but also to document the position you are sleeping in during these events. Be careful in assuming that your breathing is normal if you sleep on your sides without having a sleep study. Many people do sleep better and snore less when they stay off their backs, but it may not completely normalize your breathing.
When Snoring and Sleep Apnea Worsen by Position
Snoring and sleep apnea may be worse on your back due to the simple effects of gravity. When you lie on your back, the lower jaw (mandible), tongue, and soft tissues of the palate can easily fall back and block your airway. This can disrupt breathing and disturb sleep.
Positional Sleep Apnea Therapy
Positional therapy is a behavioral strategy used to treat positional sleep apnea. Some people have sleep apnea primarily when sleeping on their back (supine). Their breathing returns to normal when they sleep on their side. Positional therapy involves wearing a special device around your waist that helps keep you sleeping on your side. It uses “vibro-tactile feedback” technology. It gently vibrates when you start to roll over to sleep on your back. This vibration alerts your body to change position without waking you up.
Treatment Options with NightBalance
NightBalance is a compact, easy-to-use, mask-free treatment for positional obstructive sleep apnea. The palm-sized device is worn comfortably across your chest using a soft, adjustable strap. NightBalance delivers gentle vibrations that prompt you to shift to your side without disturbing your sleep. It automatically adjusts the intensity of vibrations to provide the therapy you need.
For more information on NightBalance for Positional Sleep Apnea:
NightBalance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=W1kfknypk9Y&feature=emb_logo
Getting Started:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-l9I4ibbj1A&feature=emb_logo
Getting to Sleep with NightBalance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCt95tfg9xs&feature=emb_logo
Care and Cleaning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Hk2cnaHD2vw&feature=emb_logo
Frequently asked questions
What is the intended use of the product?
NightBalance is intended as a therapy for mild to moderate Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea (POSA) in adults with a non-supine AHI<10. NightBalance is intended to be used by patients during sleep in their home environment without the need for instructions from a physician.
Do I need a prescription to get a NightBalance?
Yes, the NightBalance is prescription use only.
Can I get out of bed at night?
Yes, if you need to get out of bed during the night, you can pause the device. Pause mode can be activated if you get up during the night, or if you turn the Device pocket of the Chest Strap vertical for a second. In pause mode, the Sensor Device will not give vibrations for 5 minutes.
How do I charge my Sensor device?
Place the sensor device on the docking station and ensure the docking station has power.
It is recommended that you charge the Sensor Device every morning after use. Getting in the habit of charging the Sensor Device every day will ensure that the Sensor Device has enough battery level for next use.
How do I clean my device and accessories?
The Chest Strap can be washed in a washing machine on a regular basis (e.g. once every week or when visibly soiled) with a mild detergent not containing chlorine (bleach) or fabric softener. After washing, let the strap dry by air. DO NOT place the Sensor Device in a wet Chest Strap. DO NOT dry the strap in a dryer. DO NOT iron the Chest Strap.
It is the user’s responsibility to keep NightBalance equipment dust free. Before cleaning, turn the Sensor Device OFF and unplug the Power Adapter from the Docking Station and the wall outlet. Clean the Sensor Device and Docking Station with a dampened cloth with water or mild cleaning solution (e.g. standard detergent) if they are visibly dirty. DO NOT use bleach or other aggressive cleaning solutions. Ensure that moisture does not penetrate the openings.
What is the adaptation program?
The adaptation program of NightBalance is designed to slowly train you to respond to the Sensor Device’s vibrations during sleep. You need to use NightBalance for nine nights before the device will provide full position therapy.
1) Analysis phase
No vibrations are given during the first two nights of the therapy. NightBalance gathers baseline data on your sleep patterns during night 1 and 2. This data is used to tailor the therapy to your individual sleeping behavior later on.
2) Build-up phase
NightBalance starts to deliver vibrations during night 3 to 9. The vibrations will build up gradually when laying on your back, allowing you to get used to therapy. It is recommended to use NightBalance every night, or as agreed with your physician for best therapy results.
Does the device clear itself of data after data upload?
Data transferred to the mobile app and portal is (automatically) removed from the Sensor Device memory.
What are the steps to install the mobile app and register?
- Download the Philips NightBalance App on your smartphone from the Play Store (for Android) or App Store (for iPhone).
- Open the Philips NightBalance App. Select and confirm your region
- Next, choose “Create new account” and follow the instructions in the app. Complete the registration process by activating your account with the link in your email.
How do I pair my sensor device?
- Login to the Philips NightBalance app after activating your account. Follow the instructions in the app to complete your account.
- Once indicated by the app, activate the pairing mode by switching the Sensor Device ON while pressing one of the navigation buttons. Pairing ensures a secure connection between your Sensor Device and your smartphone and is to be performed once. ⚠⚠ Only activate the pairing mode of the Sensor Device on first use.