November 6, 2025
Researchers reviewed 86 adults (mostly middle-aged, with a mix of men and women) at a university hospital who had moderate to severe OSA and couldn’t tolerate CPAP.
These patients had specific airway issues (rated as Friedman Stages 2-4, meaning surgery might not be ideal).
They got fitted with the TAP device, adjusted it over time for comfort, and did sleep tests before and after.
The study suggests TAP is a solid first-choice option for these patients, especially if CPAP isn’t an option, and it’s easy to tolerate long-term.
It’s not perfect for everyone (as about 28% didn’t respond fully), and more research is needed, but it’s a non-invasive, adjustable tool that could improve sleep and health without surgery.
Click here to view the full study.
Key Results:
- Overall, the device worked well: 72% of patients saw major improvement—either cutting their apnea events (measured by AHI score) by at least 50%, or dropping to mild levels (under 15 events per hour).
- On average, apnea events dropped by about 10 per hour (from 20 to 9), and the lowest oxygen levels during sleep improved by nearly 2%.
- It helped across all severity levels: 56% success in mild cases, 85% in moderate, and 75% in severe.
- Common worries like high weight (BMI), older age, being male, previous throat surgery, or certain airway collapse patterns didn’t stop it from working for most people. (One positive note: a front-back collapse pattern in the throat led to even better oxygen improvements.)
The study suggests TAP is a solid first-choice option for these patients, especially if CPAP isn’t an option, and it’s easy to tolerate long-term.
It’s not perfect for everyone (as about 28% didn’t respond fully), and more research is needed, but it’s a non-invasive, adjustable tool that could improve sleep and health without surgery.
Click here to view the full study.
