Graded exposure therapy for addressing claustrophobic reactions to continuous positive airway pressure: a case series report.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a safe, effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, and yet many patients develop claustrophobic reactions to the CPAP nasal mask and cannot tolerate this treatment. We examined the efficacy of a graded in-vivo exposure therapy for enhancing CPAP adherence using a retrospective, case series design. Objective CPAP adherence data were obtained on clinical patients who attended 1 or more sessions of exposure therapy with a behavioral sleep psychologist. Compared to pre-treatment, patients used CPAP significantly longer after exposure therapy. No predictors of treatment response were identified. CPAP exposure therapy may be beneficial in some cases; however, further research is needed to determine types of patients most likely to benefit from this therapy.
Means
Melanie K
MK
Psychology Service, VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705, USA. melanie.means@va.gov
Edinger
Jack D
JD
D000368:Aged; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011617:Psychotherapy, Rational-Emotive / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*