Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation May Be Cost-Effective Treatment for Mild OSA

Signifier Medical Technologies LLC is sharing promising results from a study proving the cost effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for treating mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The exploratory analysis, “Cost-Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” was led by Drs. Shan Liu, Jan Pietzsch, and a collaborative research team.
 
Recent estimates suggest that 55 million U.S. adults suffer from OSA, with over half falling into the mild range. Patients with mild OSA often experience a diminished quality of life compared to controls, and epidemiological analyses reveal increased risks of hypertension, diabetes, and abnormal fasting glucose among them. Despite the prevalence of OSA, the current standard of care, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, faces challenges such as low adherence and patient satisfaction, which creates a demand for alternative OSA treatment options.
 
Researchers used a decision-analytic model to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of NMES compared to no treatment and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The analysis, conducted from the U.S. healthcare system perspective, considered both direct medical costs and health outcomes measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The results of the exploratory analysis indicated that NMES may be a cost-effective treatment option for mild OSA compared to no treatment. Furthermore, it showed that neuromuscular electrical stimulation, depending on long-term adherence, may be preferred over CPAP therapy, suggesting this alternative treatment approach could provide a valuable and more accessible option for individuals with mild OSA.
 
“We are excited to see the results of this study reinforce the potential of neuromuscular electrical stimulation as a revolutionary treatment option for individuals with mild obstructive sleep apnea,” Signifier Medical Finance Head/Chief of Staff Mujtaba Chohan said.
 
While CPAP therapy has been the standard treatment for moderate to severe OSA, it has long been plagued with low adherence and low patient satisfaction. With more than 14,000 patients being prescribed eXciteOSA, and real-world data demonstrating strong adherence of patients using therapy over 80% of days, this non-invasive NMES therapy allows patients to complete a session for just 20 minutes during the day, offering them the freedom to breathe naturally, all night long, on their own.
 
“Our research provides important insights into the potential cost-effectiveness of using neuromuscular electrical stimulation for individuals with mild obstructive sleep apnea that are relevant for patients, clinicians, and healthcare payers,” senior study author Pietzsch stated.
 
Signifier is addressing the root causes of sleep-disordered breathing. The company is focused on developing and commercializing non-invasive solutions to help people breathe normally and naturally all night without a wearable medical device or a surgical implant. Its eXciteOSA solution is a daytime therapy for sleep-disordered breathing. Clinically proven to target a common root cause of OSA, eXciteOSA uses NMES to “exercise” the upper airway muscles, working the intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles to improve endurance and prevent airway collapse during sleep. Unlike other devices that are used while patients sleep, eXciteOSA is the first commercially available device used while awake. Founded in 2015, Signifier has offices in London (U.K.) and Needham, Mass.