Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Impact of Tele-visit on Patients Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Follow-up by Home Care Provider

This study aims to find out if using online video appointments, often called 'tele-visits', for people who use CPAP machines for sleep apnea is a good way to manage their ongoing care. Around 4% of adults in France have sleep apnea, and while CPAP is the best treatment for many, it can be hard to stick with. Many people stop using their CPAP machine over time. Traditionally, a healthcare provider visits the patient at home for annual check-ups. The COVID-19 pandemic made online appointments much more common. This research wants to see if these online follow-up visits are just as effective as in-person ones and if patients are happy with them. If successful, online follow-ups could become a new standard for CPAP users.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

AGIR à Dom

Enrolment target

320

Start

01 Apr 2023

Estimated completion

11 May 2027

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is this study about?

Sleep apnea is a common condition where people stop breathing for short periods while they sleep. This can make them very tired during the day and can lead to other health problems. For many, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is the main treatment. This machine gently blows air through a mask while you sleep, keeping your airways open.

However, using a CPAP machine every night can be a bit tricky, and some people find it hard to stick with. In fact, many people stop using their machines over time. Because of this, regular check-ups and support from a home care provider are really important to help people use their CPAP effectively and feel satisfied with their treatment.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most follow-up appointments were in person. But during the pandemic, online appointments, or 'tele-visits,' became much more common. This study wants to find out if having your annual CPAP check-up through a video call with your home care provider works just as well as getting a visit in person. They also want to know if people using CPAP machines are happy with these online appointments. If tele-visits are shown to be effective and patients like them, this could offer a more convenient way to manage long-term CPAP care.

Key takeaways

The study wants to see if online video calls for CPAP check-ups are effective.
It's for people who use CPAP machines for sleep apnea.
The goal is to find out if online appointments are convenient and help people stick with their treatment.
If successful, online check-ups could become a common way to follow up for CPAP users.
Participation involves having an annual follow-up through a tele-visit instead of in-person.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for volunteers who are at least 18 years old. To be considered, you must have been using your CPAP machine for at least 12 months, and receive your annual check-ups from the 'AGIR à dom' healthcare provider.

It's important that your CPAP use is regular and effective. This means you should be using your CPAP machine for at least 4 hours every night, and the machine's report should show that your sleep apnea is well controlled (meaning you have 5 or fewer breathing pauses per hour) for the three months before the study starts.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if your CPAP mask isn't sealing properly and is leaking a lot, or if you plan to move somewhere that 'AGIR à dom' doesn't cover in the next year. Also, if the study doctor thinks that a tele-visit isn't suitable for you, you wouldn't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you been using your CPAP machine for at least a year?
Do you get your annual CPAP check-ups from 'AGIR à dom'?
Do you use your CPAP machine for at least 4 hours every night?
Has your CPAP machine report shown good control of your sleep apnea (AHI ≤ 5) for the past 3 months?
Are you not planning to move out of the 'AGIR à dom' service area in the next year?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed involvement for participants isn't fully described in this summary. However, it focuses on annual follow-up visits. It's likely that instead of a usual in-person annual visit, you would have an online video appointment (tele-visit) with your home care provider. The study will then assess how well this tele-visit works for your ongoing CPAP care and how satisfied you are with it. The total duration of your participation would likely involve one such annual tele-visit and any subsequent data collection related to its effectiveness and your satisfaction.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of a more convenient annual check-up from the comfort of your home, potentially saving you time and travel. There are no direct medical risks mentioned as the study observes an already existing practice (tele-visits). The main potential risk is that an online appointment might not be as thorough for some individuals as an in-person check-up, though the study aims to assess this effectiveness. You would be free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

AGIR à dom.
Verified postcode
Meylan, France

Common questions

What is a CPAP machine?

A CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is a device that helps people with sleep apnea breathe better at night by keeping their airways open.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you are sleeping. This can make you very tired and affect your overall health.

What is a 'tele-visit'?

A 'tele-visit' is an online appointment, usually a video call, with a healthcare professional, rather than seeing them in person.

Why is this study important?

This study aims to find out if online check-ups for CPAP users are as good as in-person ones, hoping to offer a convenient and effective way for people to manage their treatment long-term.

Will I still get my usual care if I don't join?

Yes, your medical care will not be affected regardless of whether you choose to participate in this study or not.