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Combination Upper-Airway Electrical and Pharmacological Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

4 de mayo de 2026 actualizado por: Scott Aaron Sands, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Combination Upper-Airway Electrical and Pharmacological Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in which the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and reduced oxygen levels. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is an approved treatment that uses a small implanted device to stimulate the genioglossus muscle and keep the airway open. However, some patients continue to have OSA despite using HGNS. Atomoxetine and oxybutynin, "AtoOxy", is a promising pharmacologcal therapy under investigation that has been shown to activate pharyngeal muscles-in particular non-genioglossus muscles--but appears more efficacious in some patients than others.

This study will test whether the combination of AtoOxy and HGNS can further improve breathing during sleep compared to either monotherapy alone. Participants with OSA and an HGNS device will be randomized to receive, in random order: HGNS+AtoOxy, HGNS alone (plus placebo), AtoOxy alone (HGNS device off), and placebo (HGNS device off), in a cross-over trial.

The main goal is to determine whether the combined treatment reduces the number of breathing events during sleep; the primary outcome test will compare HGNS+AtoOxy versus HGNS alone. The effect of each intervention versus placebo will also be presented.

The study will also examine how individual patient characteristics influence response to treatment.

Descripción general del estudio

Descripción detallada

Residual obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among patients treated with hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS), reflecting incomplete correction of underlying pathophysiological traits. In addition to upper airway collapsibility, non-anatomical factors such as a low arousal threshold may contribute to persistent disease despite HGNS therapy. Pharmacologic modulation of these traits represents a potential strategy to enhance treatment efficacy.

Atomoxetine (a norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor) and oxybutynin (an anti-muscarinic agent) have been shown to increase upper airway muscle tone and raise the arousal threshold, leading to reductions in OSA severity in prior studies. However, their combined effect when added to ongoing HGNS therapy has not been systematically evaluated.

This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial designed to assess the acute effects of combined pharmacologic and electrical stimulation on OSA severity. Participants with OSA who are already implanted with HGNS, or pending clinical implantation, will be enrolled in a four-period randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial assessing HGNS+AtoOxy, HGNS alone (plus placebo), AtoOxy alone (HGNS device off), and placebo (HGNS device off).

The main goal is to determine whether the combined treatment reduces the number of breathing events during sleep; the primary outcome test will compare HGNS+AtoOxy versus HGNS alone. The effect of each intervention versus placebo will also be presented.

Polysomnographic measurements will be also be used to explore mechanisms underlying response, including the interaction between pharmacologically modifiable traits and HGNS-mediated airway stabilization. Additional analyses will evaluate whether baseline physiological characteristics predict treatment response, with the goal of informing personalized treatment strategies for patients with residual OSA. Patient-reported outcomes, including sleepiness, sleep-related quality of life, fatigue, and treatment satisfaction, will also be assessed to evaluate the broader clinical impact of the combination intervention.

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

24

Fase

  • Fase 2
  • Fase 1

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

  • Nombre: Daniel P Vena, PhD
  • Número de teléfono: 617-852-0719
  • Correo electrónico: dvena@bwh.harvard.edu

Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio

Ubicaciones de estudio

    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, Estados Unidos, 02115

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto
  • Adulto Mayor

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria for Enrolment:

  • Ages 18 - 79 years
  • Diagnosed OSA
  • Implantation of a hypoglossal nerve stimulation device (HGNS, Inspire Medical) or scheduled for implantation (implantation required for randomization)
  • Willingness to withhold HGNS while testing therapies (up to 6 weeks with HGNS off [with/without pharmacotherapy] to assess benefits of HGNS therapy).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any uncontrolled medical condition
  • Current use of the medications under investigation.
  • Issues relating to short-term withdrawal of HGNS therapy

    • Excluded: Occupational driving (truck drivers, fork-lift operation, taxi/uber drivers)
    • Excluded: History of traffic accidents attributable to sleepiness or fatigue (<2 years).
  • Use of SNRIs/SSRIs or anticholinergic medications during the study.
  • Conditions likely to affect obstructive sleep apnea physiology: neuromuscular disease or other major neurological disorder, heart failure (also below), or any other unstable major medical condition.
  • Respiratory disorders other than sleep disordered breathing:

chronic hypoventilation/hypoxemia (awake SaO2 < 92% by oximetry) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory conditions.

  • Other sleep disorders: narcolepsy, parasomnias. Insomnia
  • Contraindications for atomoxetine and oxybutynin, including:

    • hypersensitivity to atomoxetine or oxybutynin (angioedema or urticaria)
    • pheochromocytoma
    • use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors
    • diagnosed benign prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention
    • suspected benign prostatic hypertrophy / urinary retention based on a positive answer to either of the following questions:

      1. "During the last month, when urinating, have you had the sensation of not emptying your bladder completely more often than 1 out of 5 times?"
      2. "During the last month, have you had a weak urinary stream more often than 1 out of 5 times?
    • known untreated narrow angle glaucoma
    • known bipolar disorder, mania, psychosis
    • known history of major depressive disorder (age<24).
    • known history of attempted suicide or suicidal ideation within one year prior to screening
    • known clinically significant constipation, gastric retention
    • known pre-existing seizure disorders
    • known clinically-significant kidney disorders (eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2)
    • known clinically-significant liver disorders
    • known clinically-significant cardiovascular conditions
    • moderate-to-severe hypertension (SBP>160 mmHg or DBP>100 mmHg measured at baseline; average of evening and morning measures)
    • known cardiomyopathy (LVEF<50%) or heart failure
    • known advanced atherosclerosis
    • recent cerebrovascular events (within 2 years)
    • recent history of cardiac arrhythmias e.g., atrial fibrillation, QT prolongation (within 2 years)
    • other serious cardiac conditions that would raise the consequences of an increase in blood pressure or heart rate
    • myasthenia gravis
    • pregnancy/breast-feeding

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación cruzada
  • Enmascaramiento: Triple

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Otro: Sequence 1

HGNS+AtoOxy -> Placebo -> HGNS -> AtoOxy

Each participant receives all four treatment conditions ("periods") in randomized order; outcomes are analyzed as within-subject comparisons, not between sequence arms.

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS+AtoOxy

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

HGNS device off

Otros nombres:
  • AtoOxy
Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime. HGNS device off
Otros nombres:
  • Placebo
Otro: Sequence 2

HGNS -> AtoOxy -> HGNS+AtoOxy -> Placebo

Each participant receives all four treatment conditions ("periods") in randomized order; outcomes are analyzed as within-subject comparisons, not between sequence arms.

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS+AtoOxy

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

HGNS device off

Otros nombres:
  • AtoOxy
Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime. HGNS device off
Otros nombres:
  • Placebo
Otro: Sequence 3

AtoOxy -> HGNS -> Placebo -> HGNS+AtoOxy

Each participant receives all four treatment conditions ("periods") in randomized order; outcomes are analyzed as within-subject comparisons, not between sequence arms.

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS+AtoOxy

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

HGNS device off

Otros nombres:
  • AtoOxy
Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime. HGNS device off
Otros nombres:
  • Placebo
Otro: Sequence 4

Placebo -> HGNS+AtoOxy -> AtoOxy -> HGNS

Each participant receives all four treatment conditions ("periods") in randomized order; outcomes are analyzed as within-subject comparisons, not between sequence arms.

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS+AtoOxy

Electrical stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve using an implanted device (Inspire Medical Systems) to activate upper airway dilator muscles during sleep at prescribed therapeutic settings.

Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime.

Otros nombres:
  • HGNS

Atomoxetine 80 mg administered orally at bedtime. Oxybutynin 5 mg administered orally at bedtime. Dose escalation with half-dose for initial 3 nights followed by full dose.

HGNS device off

Otros nombres:
  • AtoOxy
Matching placebo capsules administered orally at bedtime. HGNS device off
Otros nombres:
  • Placebo

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Apnea-Hypopnea Index
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), defined as the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep, measured by overnight polysomnography at the end of each treatment period.

Quantitative outcome variable: percent change (symmetrized) from baseline.

2 Weeks

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Hypoxic Burden
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Hypoxic burden, defined as the area under the oxygen desaturation curve associated with respiratory events multiplied by event frequency, measured during overnight polysomnography.

Quantitative outcome variable: percent change (symmetrized) from baseline.

2 Weeks
Visual Analog Scale for Sleep Quality
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks
Self-reported sleep quality measured using a visual analog scale. Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline. Range: 0-10 (higher values indicate greater sleep quality).
2 Weeks

Otras medidas de resultado

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Daytime sleepiness assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (range 0-24, higher scores indicate greater sleepiness).

Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline.

2 Weeks
Visual Analog Scale for Treatment Satisfaction
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks
Self-reported treatment satisfaction measured using a visual analog scale. Quantitative outcome variable: absolute value on treatment. Range: 0-10 (higher values indicate greater treatment satisfaction).
2 Weeks
Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI)
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Disease-specific quality of life assessed using the Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index.

Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline. Range: 1-7 (higher values indicate greater sleep apnea-related quality of life).

2 Weeks
PROMIS Sleep-Related Impairment
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Patient-reported outcomes assessing sleep-related impairment:

Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline. Range: 0-100 (mean 50, SD 10; higher T-scores indicate greater impairment).

2 Weeks
PROMIS Fatigue
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Patient-reported outcomes assessing fatigue: Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline.

Range: 0-100 (mean 50, SD 10; higher T-scores indicate greater fatigue).

2 Weeks
PROMIS Sleep Disturbance
Periodo de tiempo: 2 Weeks

Patient-reported outcomes assessing sleep disturbance: Quantitative outcome variable: absolute change from baseline.

Range: 0-100 (mean 50, SD 10; higher T-scores indicate greater sleep disturbance).

2 Weeks

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Scott A Sands, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Publicaciones y enlaces útiles

La persona responsable de ingresar información sobre el estudio proporciona voluntariamente estas publicaciones. Estos pueden ser sobre cualquier cosa relacionada con el estudio.

Publicaciones Generales

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

1 de junio de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

1 de diciembre de 2027

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de diciembre de 2027

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

27 de abril de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

4 de mayo de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

11 de mayo de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

11 de mayo de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

4 de mayo de 2026

Última verificación

1 de mayo de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

INDECISO

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

Sí

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

Sí

producto fabricado y exportado desde los EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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