Collapsibility Of The Human Upper Airway: Relationships Between Sleep, Sedation, Anaesthesia And Head Posture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,359.00
Summary
The proposed studies will examine the sites and mechanisms of narrowing and collapse of the upper airway (throat) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) during different levels of general anaesthesia, stages of sleep and head postures. The studies will help us understand the reasons for upper airway collapse in individuals with OSA and may result in the development of methods of identifying the most appropriate patients for specific surgical treatments of OSA.
We do not possess a clinical test to assess balance pathways to the trunk and lower limbs. This project will use vibration pulses and a gentle electrical pulses to activate inner ear balance organs and evoke a postural response. We will assess healthy volunteers across age groups and dizzy patients . We will develop and disseminate a simplified test for widespread clinical use. Our findings will be used to refine and validate a predictive model of postural responses to electrical stimulation.
The Clinical Effectiveness Of A Simple New Treatment For Supine-dependent Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$529,178.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common and debilitating breathing problem in sleep with serious effects on sleep and health. A third of patients could be very simply treated by avoiding sleeping on their back. Existing treatments are uncomfortable, often not used and better options are needed. This project will test symptom relief and treatment adherence with a new comfortable low cost supine avoidance therapy against current best practice treatment.