A preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of a sleep apnea education program.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate a standardised sleep apnea patient education program and develop a study design that may be used to evaluate other such education programs.


METHODS
Thirty-four adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) underwent a standard sleep apnea education program and completed measures of knowledge of and beliefs about sleep apnea before, after, and 3 months following education. Two outcome measures were used: the Apnea Knowledge Test (AKT) and the Apnea Beliefs Scale (ABS).


RESULTS
AKT results showed significant knowledge gains posteducation, which were maintained at follow-up. Patients also reported more positive beliefs about their ability to change their behaviour and comply with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment recommendations after education.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this preliminary investigation suggest that the education program used in this study may improve patients' knowledge of CPAP and promote functional beliefs about OSAHS treatment. This program clearly warrants further research, and ultimately such programs may prove important in improving CPAP compliance.
Smith
S S
SS
Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Lang
C P
CP
Sullivan
K A
KA
Warren
J
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires