Snoring Treatments, Do They Work

Posting Date: 10/03/2003

Methodology: Forty patients (29 men and 11 women), who complained of socially disruptive snoring were enrolled in the study at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. Patients less than 18 years of age and those with medical conditions that could interfere with the proper operation of the investigation?s materials or analysis sleep device were excluded. Those with suspected obstructive sleep apnea were not excluded from the study.

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Three non-invasive, over-the-counter snore remedies were chosen based on multiple independent Internet searches, patient interviews, product uniqueness, and lack of unbiased scientific analysis. Products selected included the lubricating mouth spray (Snorenz(r)), nasal dilator strips (Breathe Right(r) Strips) and an ergonomically shaped pillow (Snore-No-More(r)). Proper use and instructions as per the products? website or package insert were reviewed prior to meeting with the patients and all patients were given the same directions on use. None of the products claim to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

Each study participant provided a complete medical history, completed the Epworth sleepiness questionnaire, and underwent a physical exam during which characteristics such as neck size, height, and body mass index were recorded.

Participants engaged in seven consecutive nights of SNAP testing (a take-home polysomnograph device that generates an analysis of acoustic measurements of oronasal respirations as well as a respiratory disturbance index (RDI)). The first, third, fifth, and seventh nights were to be tested without the use of any snore remedy; the remaining nights were reserved for product testing. Compared were chosen study parameters, both objective and subjective, for the night a product was tested and the following night without a snore aid (control night). Patients were asked to refrain from the use of alcohol or other sedatives during the course of the study. Objective snoring analysis was performed using the SNAP test (evaluated in a blinded fashion by SNAP Laboratories, Inc, Glenview, IL). In order to subjectively measure patient and sleeping partner satisfaction with the products, daily questionnaires were completed each morning following testing with and without remedies.