TABLE 3.
Results of the randomised studies comparing telemedicine (TM) follow-up versus usual care for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) patients
| First author [ref.] | Patients n | AHI events·h-1 | TM application | Adherence TM versus usual care | Patient satisfaction |
| Stepnowsky [38] | 45 | >15 | Interactive website with own CPAP data and guide for troubleshooting | 2 months: 4.1 versus 3.4 h·night-1 (statistically significant) | No concerns of being remotely observed |
| Fox [44] | 75 | >15; mean: 42 | Feedback by phone | 3 months: 3.2 versus 1.7 h·night-1 (statistically significant) | NA |
| Isetta [45] | 139 | Mean: 49 | Feedback by web tools | 6 months: 4.4 versus 4.2 h·night-1 (ns) | Similar degree satisfaction |
| Anttalainen [46]# | 111 | Mean: 34 | Nurse adjustment phone/visits | 12 months: 6.4 versus 6.1 h·night-1 (ns) | NA |
| Munafo [47] | 132 | Mean: 34 (TM), 27 (usual care) | Multimedia approach to contact patient about their CPAP use | 1 month: 5.1 versus 4.7 h·night-1 (ns) |
Very good acceptance of the TM programme |
| Frasnelli [48]¶ | 223 | Median: 37 (TM), 40 (usual care) |
Pneumologist adjustment by phone | 1 month: 5.3 versus 4.6 h·night-1 (statistically significant) |
Overall satisfaction better in usual care group; privacy concerns |
| Hoet [49] | 46 | >20 | Sleep technician adjustment phone/visits | 3 months: 5.7 versus 4.2 h·night-1 (statistically significant) | NA |
| Turino [50] | 100 | >15 | Pneumologist adjustment by phone | 3 months: 5.1 versus 4.9 h·night-1 (ns) | Overall satisfaction better in usual care group; privacy concerns |
AHI: apnoea/hypopnoea index; ns: not statistically significant; NA: not assessed. #: partially randomised; ¶: patients selected at random.