The effects of integrated nursing education on quality of life and health-related outcomes among obstructive sleep apnea patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure therapy

Abstract

This study sought to examine the effects of a nursing education program on quality of life and sleep disturbance among obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. This study was a randomized controlled trial with an intervention group consisting of a nursing education program. The intervention group received the instruction of the CPAP nursing education program, and the control group received routine care. Data was collected for both groups before the intervention (pre-test), on the 7th day measurement after the intervention, and on the 30th day measurement after the intervention. The results showed, first, that the intervention group reported a significantly reduced level of disturbance from wearing CPAP compared with that of the control group after the intervention (β=-1.83, p=.040). Second, the Calgary sleep apnea quality of life index (SAQLI) total scores significantly improved after the intervention (β=1.669, p=0.014). Also, symptoms of the SAQLI sub-items were improved and significantly different (β=5.69, p=0.007) after the intervention in the intervention group. According to the results of the study, the disturbance from wearing CPAP, the total score of the SAQLI and the symptoms of the SAQLI were significantly improved after the nursing education intervention. Therefore, an adequate nursing education program is recommended for the initial period of CPAP use among OSA patients.