title: Comparison of two headgear systems for sleep apnea treatment of stroke patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common condition after stroke, and it predicts poor outcomes. Unfortunately, stroke patients often do not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure. We hypothesized that a 1-piece head frame headgear would be easier and quicker to use than a traditional strap headgear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of ischemic stroke patients was taught to use 2 different headgear systems, a head frame and straps. Subjects were timed while putting on and taking off the 2 headgears, and they were queried about their ease of use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the 30 enrolled subjects found the head frame to be easier to apply and to remove than the straps. The patients took longer to put on (p < 0.01) and to remove (p < 0.01) the straps than the head frame.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Headgear selection should be considered when fitting a stroke patient with a continuous positive airway pressure mask.
authors.affiliation: The Cardiovascular Center-Stroke Program, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5855, USA. devinb@umich.edu
authors.forename: Devin L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Maryann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Concannon
authors.forename: Aaron B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zupancic
authors.forename: Lynda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Lisabeth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*