adherence to PAP therapy was linked to improved overall relationship satisfaction and reduced conflict levels. This suggests that consistent use of the positive airway pressure machine can have a positive impact on the quality of the individual’s relationship with their partner. The findings of the study highlight the importance of regular PAP therapy for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, not only for their own health but also for the well-being of their relationships. The study will be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting.”/>sleep efficiency among patients also correlated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction as reported by both the patient and their partner. Recognizing that the quality of a relationship could be influenced by sleep and sleep disorders could motivate those affected by sleep apnea to follow treatment,” stated Wendy Troxel, the lead author and a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at the University of Utah, where the study took place. “We created a couples-based treatment called ‘We-PAP’ because we acknowledge that the sleep of couples is a shared experience.”The focus of the study was to understand the challenges faced by patients and their partners when it comes to adhering to PAP therapy for sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, around 30 million adults in the United States suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. This condition involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep, and snoring is a common symptom. PAP therapy, which uses a mask to deliver mild air pressure and keep the throat open during sleep, is a common treatment for sleep apnea. The study involved 36 couples, with patients starting PAP therapy.A study was conducted to examine the impact of PAP therapy on the relationship satisfaction and conflict in couples where one partner has sleep apnea. The study recorded PAP therapy adherence data over three months and estimated sleep duration and efficiency using actigraphy. Participants self-reported their relationship satisfaction and conflict.
Troxel emphasized the importance of considering sleep when evaluating relationship status. She stated, “No one is at their best when they aren’t sleeping. In an age where we see couples going through ‘sleep divorces,’ and roughly 50% of marriages end in actual divorce, recognizing how healthy sleep can contribute to healthy relationships is imperative.”
The study received support from [organization or funding source].The National Institutes of Health provided a grant for this research. The research abstract was recently published in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and will be presented on Wednesday, June 5, during SLEEP 2024 in Houston. SLEEP is the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, a collaboration between the AASM and the Sleep Research Society.
