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Scientific Oral Presentations

Sleep Medicine

Session: Scientific Oral Presentation 2 - Sleep

Patient Experience with Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Qualitative Study

Sunday, October 12, 2025
2:42 PM - 2:48 PM EDT
Location: 136
Introduction: Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is a novel surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which lowers AHI and improves patient quality of life. Although over 50,000 individuals have received this treatment, little research explores patients’ experiences throughout this process. This study aims to characterize patients’ perspectives before, during, and after hypoglossal nerve stimulation using a comprehensive, qualitative approach.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via phone with patients who had undergone HGNS at a single institution between 2010 and 2024. Questions targeted sleep apnea diagnosis, alternative treatments, experiences throughout HGNS implantation, and overall impressions. Data were analyzed utilizing the Moustakas method.

Results: Eleven patients were interviewed and 4 key themes were identified. (1) OSA symptomatology was burdensome to patients (9/11), (2) CPAP discomfort and difficulty of use limited its strength as a treatment (9/11), (3) symptom improvement, ease of use, and convenience solidified HGNS as a superior treatment option (11/11), (4) patients felt unprepared for their life post-implantation, highlighting surgical scarring, the process of titration and the time to benefit with a HGNS as pain points in their journey (8/11).

Conclusions: Patients who undergo HGNS are exhausted in their care journey, facing the difficulty of their condition and the discomfort and difficulty of use with CPAP treatment as their first-line treatment. Patients who undergo hypoglossal nerve stimulation overall report satisfaction with their results, but frustration with their care journey to obtain and maintain resolution of apneic symptoms. The straightforward process of implantation and convenience associated with the device are strengths and optimize compliance, a frequent issue with CPAP usage. However, they struggle with reconciling the supposed quick nature of surgical intervention with the complex process of titrating the HGNS, a key area for improvement in their care journey.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MK

    Mohammad Sulaiman M. Kidwai, BA

    Student
    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Washington, DC, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Nicole A. Derdzakyan, BS

    Medical Student, Year 2
    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Washington, DC, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • BG

    Beck O. Gold, BS

    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Sarah K. Fangmeyer, DO

    Research Fellow & Medical Assistant
    George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Reston, VA, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • PT

    Punam G. Thakkar, MD

    Associate Professor
    George Washington University
    Bethesda, MD, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • PZ

    Philip Zapanta, MD, FACS

    Associate Professor of Surgery; Program Director
    George Washington University
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.