In under 90 minutes, a new, less invasive procedure has shown it can improve breathing in people with sleep apnea.
The method, called percutaneous hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS), uses electrical stimulation to help keep the airway open during sleep.
Unlike older techniques that require surgery, this new approach involves placing electrodes through the skin using ultrasound guidance—no cuts or stitches needed.
Researchers at Flinders University tested this method on 14 people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During the test, participants were sedated to mimic sleep apnea breathing patterns. The results were impressive: 93% of the people showed better airflow, and the improvement was similar to what is seen with CPAP machines.
Dr. Amal Osman, the lead author and a sleep health researcher at Flinders University, said the results were very promising. “Even when the upper airway was fully blocked, we saw major breathing improvements. This approach may lead to faster recovery, lower costs, and better outcomes for people who can’t use CPAP therapy,” she explained.
This technique adds to the growing interest around the world in using nerve stimulation instead of machines to treat sleep apnea.
Professor Simon Carney, an ENT surgeon and study co-author, said the procedure is simple, quick, and safe. “It takes about 90 minutes, is done with ultrasound, and causes very little discomfort. We were able to help people who were not considered good candidates for nerve stimulation in the past.”
Professor Eng Ooi, who heads the ear, nose, and throat department at Flinders Medical Center, said this new method could help more people find a treatment that works for them. “This could become a good alternative to CPAP for those who can’t use it comfortably,” he said.
The research team is now working to make the technique suitable for long-term use. They hope to turn it into a procedure that can be done in outpatient clinics and possibly work with wearable sleep tech. They are also studying which patients benefit most, based on their specific airway structure and sleep habits.
Professor Danny Eckert, a senior author and sleep expert, said the team is excited about what this could mean for the future of sleep medicine. “We want to give people better treatment options. This study proves that with the right tools and ideas, we can make sleep apnea treatment more personal, more effective, and more comfortable,” he said.
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The study is published in CHEST.
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