How Many Nightly Hours of CPAP are Necessary to See Benefits?

It is important to wear your CPAP every time you sleep—that is the only way to get optimal benefits. However, even just getting “some” sleep time with proper CPAP usage has its benefits according to a recent study. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea and one of the most common reasons patients seek out The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona. Here, we have unparalleled staffing levels and are led by triple board-certified Dr. Ruchir P. Patel, the current Physician Director elected Board President of Maricopa County Medical Society. CPAP remains the gold standard in managing OSA, but in rare instances that it fails, options like the Inspire implant may be a good fit for you.

So, how many hours are “enough” to see some benefits from CPAP usage? According to a study by ResMed that was presented at the 2022 American Thoracic Society’s annual International Conference, it’s two hours. That is the bare minimum to yield benefits, but of course, those benefits cannot compare to properly adhering to CPAP usage for a full night’s sleep. The retrospective, observational study examined data from 180,000 CPAP users based in the U.S. to examine their average rates for emergency room visits and hospitalizations (all visits, not just related to OSA). This data was compared to how many hours per night they used CPAP, ranging from zero to nine.

Study Results on CPAP Use for OSA

According to findings, minimum CPAP usage for benefit was 2 – 3 hours nightly. This figure is up to 50 percent lower than what the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as many private insurance providers, recommend (which is four). According to researchers, “Benefits begin at 2 hours of nightly CPAP use and increase each hour up to 7 hours per night.” Researchers also found that initial benefits were found at 90 days and increased at both the one-year and two-year marks. During that two-year period, every additional hour of CPAP usage (beyond 2 – 3 hours) reduced hospitalizations by five percent and ER visits by 4.4 percent.

The researchers note, “This study can positively change how healthcare professionals prescribe and encourage sleep apnea sufferers to use PAP—and how they’re covered.” The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid define CPAP adherence as using the device for a minimum of four hours per night for 70 percent of nights during a 30-day period. For those who do not adhere to these standards, they risk losing their CPAP machine at the 90-day mark (or, alternatively, must pay for it themselves). The lead researcher stresses, “If just two hours of nightly CPAP use can significantly lower a patient’s risk of getting hospitalized, our health systems should encourage and enable people to access and keep using these solutions.”

Who pays for CPAP therapy is understandably a sticking point for many patients. A lot of patients don’t realize that Medicare/Medicaid or their insurance will cover this therapy, but there are contingencies attached. CPAP usage can and should be tracked, the latter of which to ensure that the therapy is being used correctly for the patient’s well-being. Unfortunately, lack of adherence or incorrect usage are the leading reasons why CPAP therapy “fails.”

What to Know About CPAP for OSA

CPAP continues to be the number-one means of managing OSA. This can be combined with lifestyle changes in some situations, such as weight reduction or a new exercise regimen. At The Insomnia and Sleep Institute, we work with patients to ensure a correct diagnosis first before testing and treatment commences. Although millions of people around the globe are diagnosed with OSA, many more go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This is often due to the fact that it can be difficult to self-gauge if you might have OSA while general physicians are typically not educated on how to screen for sleep disorders.

There is no referral needed to schedule a consultation for OSA or any sleep disorder at The Insomnia and Sleep Institute. We are staffed by sleep specialists, and your initial consult is with an expert who can diagnose sleep disorders. To schedule your initial appointment, get in touch with The Insomnia and Sleep Institute today. Call the office during business hours, or for the quickest response complete the online contact form.