When it comes to obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the gold standard and typically the first line of treatment. CPAP delivers pressurized air to the airway, which helps keep the airway open and reduces instances of disturbed breathing. When CPAP therapy works, the patient immediately feels relief. However, in some cases, the patient may struggle to adapt to CPAP therapy. For patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA)—roughly 36-47% of patients with OSA—a new sleep position therapy device called NightBalance Lunoa may be the answer.

What is positional obstructive sleep apnea?

Positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA) is different from other types of obstructive sleep apnea in that a vast majority of the symptoms occur when sleeping on your back. Therefore, if the position you are sleeping in can be managed, it can help decrease symptoms of POSA.

Introducing Philips NightBalance Lunoa

The NightBalance Lunoa is a palm-sized, ultra-thin device that is worn across the chest in a soft, adjustable belt. Over the course of the night, it delivers gentle vibrations to encourage a shift from sleeping on your back to sleeping on your side. The NightBalance Lunoa monitors your sleep positions and adjusts the intensity of the vibrations as needed, without disturbing your sleep. All the data is uploaded directly into an online dashboard and can be accessible by both patient and physician.

Patients with POSA who used NightBalance Lunoa for two years report 66% fewer episodes of waking during the night. Further, 70% felt less sleepy during the day and 72% noticed a decrease in fatigue during the day.²

NightBalance Lunoa Highlights:

• Continuously monitors sleep positions and adjusts vibration intensity based on individual needs
• Delays therapy for 15 minutes after start to allow patient to fall asleep comfortably in any position
• Offers pause mode if patient needs to get up in the middle of the night
• Prompts sleep position change without disturbing sleep

How does the NightBalance Lunoa work?

Simply place the device inside the device pocket of the chest strap with the buttons on the top and display facing away from the body. Move the strap so the device is in the middle of your chest. Once turned on, the device will wait 15 minutes to allow you to fall asleep comfortably in any position you prefer. The device works with any sleep position.

During an initial 9-day adaptation period, the Lunoa SPT device tracks individual sleep patterns and the intensity of the vibration needed to alter the sleeping position without disturbing sleep. For the first two nights, the device collects baseline data on sleep patterns and provides no vibrations. From night 3 to 9, the device gradually builds up the amount and intensity of vibrations to allow the user to get used to the therapy. The device comes with 10 levels of vibrations and 5 vibration patterns to stay effective and prevent habituation. After night 9, the device will provide full position therapy and you will see noticeable results immediately.

Who is the Lunoa SPT best suited for?

The Lunoa SPT device is indicated for patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea with a non-supine apnea-hypopnea index of <20. It cannot be used by patients with pacemakers, those who sleep upright, or require more than two pillows during sleep. It is not recommended for patients who are supposed to sleep in the supine position because of a medical condition, such as back or shoulder surgery.

Do You need a prescription for NightBalance Lunoa?

Yes, the NightBalance Lunoa is a prescription-only device.

Can NightBalance Lunoa be used in conjunction with other sleep therapy?

The Lunoa SPT can be used in conjunction with any PAP or oral appliance.

Is NightBalance Lunoa FAA-approved?

The device can be taken on a plane but it is not FAA-approved to be worn in-flight.

NightBalance Lunoa Review from Alaska Sleep Clinic Medical Director, Mauricio Reinoso, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM :

The NightBalance Lunoa is another device for positional therapy. It is good to have for some patients; but it is not going to be first line of defense” for sleep apnea.  CPAP and APAP is still the best treatment.  PAP gives better control in all positions, including patients that sleep on their stomachs, those that sleep on their backs and patients who have shoulder pains sleeping on their side. CPAP and APAP work best also for non-positional apneas,  as well as for those with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

If you’ve given up on your CPAP machine (or are avoiding it altogether), let Alaska Sleep Clinic show you a better solution. SleepN Program, exclusively at the Alaska Sleep Clinic, is the ultimate support for CPAP compliance and equipment maintenance.