Wearable Sensor Can Monitor Sleep Apnea Treatment Response

MONDAY, May 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- A wearable pulse oximeter and connected software platform (Apnimed) shows promise for monitoring obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep-related breathing diseases, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference, held from May 18 to 21 in San Francisco.Ketan Mehta, from Apnimed Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and colleagues developed a connected wearable software platform for use with a wearable proximal finger-mounted pulse oximeter to enable serial overnight recordings of saturation of peripheral oxygen and pulse rate (transmittance-based photoplethysmography) and motion (three-axis accelerometer). The platform was tested in 104 patients with OSA (2,017 overnight recordings) as part of ongoing trials.The researchers report that the device was used in several different clinical settings, including to monitor patient response to a pharmacologic treatment program for OSA. As part of the study, patients were asked to wear the device for nine nights during a 47-day period, but 85 percent of patients used the device beyond the recommended nights."These data empower both parties to be informed, and they're able to have more meaningful conversations," Mehta said in a statement. "This offers the opportunity for shared decision-making between patient and provider using digital medicine."The study was funded by Apnimed.AbstractMore Information.Sign up for our weekly HealthDay newsletter