Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

The objective of this trial is to assess efficacy and compliance of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the upper airway dilator muscles in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (TESLA) who do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy over a period of 3-months in the community and compare results against usual care (ongoing CPAP therapy), evaluate acceptability, comfort and adverse events, and record outcomes for provision of the health economics analysis. The proposed study will provide us with data about the efficacy of the domiciliary use of the intervention from a UK-based prospective, multi-centre and randomised controlled trial (Phase III). We will understand whether the primary outcome parameter, the apnoea hypopnea index (AHI), or the secondary outcomes (e.g., 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), compliance and comfort, functional outcome of sleep questionnaires (FOSQ), European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D)) are suitable measures to assess control of OSA using TESLA within reasonable acceptance for the patients to provide the analysis of healthcare resource usage for assessment of cost-efficacy and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Responder analysis will provide insights into gender, socio-economic background and endotypes to predict who most suitably benefits from this treatment.

The TESLA-MICRON study is a UK-based, prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate the use of an investigational medical device, ZeusOSA, for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with poor adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. ZeusOSA uses gentle stimulation through the skin similar to that of a TENS machine. The device features a U-shaped lightweight silicone pad with a disposable adhesive hydrogel electrode pad (single-use) that delivers mild transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to activate the hypoglossal nerve, thereby stimulating muscles to contract, particularly those associated with opening the airways (e.g., genioglossus muscle). Application of regular electrical pulses to these muscles help to maintain an open airway. The upper airway muscles might otherwise relax with sleep onset and cause vibrations and collapse in the throat whilst breathing, manifesting as snoring or sleep apnoea's or hypopneas. The stimulation level is customisable from level 1 (milder stimulation) to level 10 (stronger stimulation). 186 participants will be recruited with a prior diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea and low CPAP adherence at follow up (less than 4 hours/night) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group or a usual care group. Recruitment will focus on a balanced ratio of men and women, as women are typically under-represented in studies of OSA and, due to a slim neck / collar size in comparison to men, likely to be responders to the TESLA treatment. Participants allocated to the intervention group will use the investigational medical device, ZeusOSA, which delivers transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the upper airway dilator muscles during sleep. The device is intended for nightly use at home over a three-month period. Participants in the usual care group will continue with ongoing CPAP therapy in accordance with current clinical practice. All participants will undergo baseline assessments prior to randomisation, including a home-based sleep study conducted without treatment. Follow-up will include a scheduled telephone contact at approximately six weeks and a repeat assessment at three months, including a further home-based sleep study conducted with the assigned treatment and receive standard advice on sleep hygiene and lifestyle measures. The patients will then be referred for follow up to standard care in the outpatient setting at their respective sleep centre. The trial duration including recruitment is 3 years. The study will assess the therapeutic effects of the investigational medical device on sleep-related outcomes and symptoms, as well as participant-reported quality of life. Additional objectives include evaluation of treatment adherence, comfort and acceptability of use, and monitoring of adverse events. Data collected during the study will also be used to support an assessment of healthcare resource use associated with the intervention. The study is designed to reflect real-world use of the investigational medical device in a domiciliary setting and to identify patient characteristics associated with response to treatment. Results from this trial will inform the future clinical and regulatory development of the device for the management of obstructive sleep apnoea.