Impact of patient and family engagement in improving continuous positive airway pressure adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of the Improving CPAP Adherence Program was to assess the impact of a multidimensional treatment framework based on shared decision-making, patient activation, and caregiver engagement on improving long-term positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence in patients newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: In this pilot study, patients aged ≥ 18 years with a new obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis who qualified for PAP treatment and lived with a caregiver were randomly assigned to receive either the multidimensional treatment (intervention, n = 28) or unrelated education (control group, n = 32). All patients and their caregiver participated in a group visit. The intervention group attended 4 structured sessions: interactive education, peer coaching, hands-on experience, and a semistructured motivational interview. The control group was educated on physical activity and lifestyle only. Objective PAP adherence data were obtained at baseline (day that they received PAP machine to group visit), group visit to 3 months, and 3-6 months. RESULTS: In an age-adjusted model, the mean daily use of PAP increased significantly over the 3 time periods (P = .03). Intervention-arm participants gained a mean 1.23 hours (95% confidence interval, 0.33-2.13) in PAP mean daily use between 3 and 6 months vs those in the control arm (P = .008). We saw no difference in the percentage of PAP adherence across time between the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted patient-centered intervention with caregiver engagement improved PAP adherence vs control levels, a beneficial effect sustained for the 6 months. Our findings suggest that caregivers, with the appropriate training, can improve patients' PAP adherence by providing a socially supportive environment. CITATION: Khan NNS, Todem D, Bottu S, Badr MS, Olomu A. Impact of patient and family engagement in improving continuous positive airway pressure adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022;18(1):181-191.

Semistructured Motivational Interviews of Patients and Caregivers to Improve CPAP Adherence: A Qualitative Analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this qualitative analysis was to identify obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients' preferences, partner experiences, barriers and facilitators to positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence, and to assess understanding of the educational content delivered and satisfaction with the multidimensionally structured intervention. METHODS: A qualitative analysis was conducted on 28 interventional arm patients with a new diagnosis of OSA. They received a one-on-two semistructured motivational interview as the last part of a 60- to 90-minute in-person educational group intervention. The 10- to 15-minute interview with the patient and caregiver was patient-centered and focused on obtaining the personal and emotional history and providing support. We also assessed understanding of the OSA training plan, their commitment to it, and their goals for it. RESULTS: We identified four themes: OSA symptom and diagnosis, using the PAP machine, perceptions about the group visit, and factors that determine adherence to PAP. Patients experienced positive, negative, or mixed emotions during the journey from symptoms of OSA to PAP adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that patients' and caregivers' positive experiences of PAP could be enhanced by a patient-centered interaction and that it was important to explicitly address their fears and concerns to further enhance use of PAP. Not only could caregiver support play a role in improving PAP adherence but also the peer coaching session has the potential of providing a socially supportive environment in motivating adherence to PAP treatment.

Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers: Impact of Shared Decision Making in the Office-GAP Program.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) in people with diabetes doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease. Prior patient activation studies largely show improved communication but little impact on behavior or health outcomes. We sought to 1) assess the impact of Office-Based Guidelines Applied to Practice (Office-GAP) Program on blood pressure (BP) control; 2) determine the rate and predictors of BP control in patients with HTN and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) in federally qualified health centers. Methods: Sample: Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or DM with history of HTN; analyzed patients with DM and HTN compared to HTN without DM. INTERVENTION: Office-GAP included physician training, patient activation, and an Office-GAP decision checklist. Two-site intervention/control design; data collection at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Logistic regression with propensity scoring assessed impact on BP control over time. Results: Of 243 patients, HTN was present in 75% at baseline; 32% had BP controlled. Consistent trend showed Office-GAP slightly improved the rate of BP control across time, while the control arm showed a nonsignificant decrease in the rate of BP control across time, compared to baseline. BP improved at 6 months at the intervention site compared to control site (odds ratio = 2.92; 95% confidence interval = 1.11-7.69). Conclusion: BP control was better at the intervention site compared to the control site at 6 months. Office-GAP shows promise to implement guidelines-based patient-centered care that improves BP.