We are proud to present the publication of our latest study, conducted by Jeroen M. Schuitenmaker, Thijs Kuipers, Marlies P. Schijven, André J. P. M. Smout, Paul Fockens and Albert J. Bredenoord from the University Medical Centers (UMC) Amsterdam, published on May 29, 2023.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an electronic positional therapy wearable device on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux measured by pH-impedance reflux monitoring.
We performed a single-center, prospective, interventional study in 30 patients with nocturnal reflux symptoms and a nocturnal esophageal acid exposure time (AET) ≥1.5%.
Complete data were available for 27 patients (13 females, mean age 49.8 years): The median nocturnal AET decreased from 6.0% to 3.1% after 2 weeks of treatment. The number of reflux episodes was significantly reduced after 2 weeks of treatment. Treatment led to a statistically significant decrease in time spent in right lateral decubitus position and an increase in the left lateral decubitus position.
Symptom improvement was reported by 70.4% of the patients.
KEY POINTS:
- Nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms negatively impacts sleep quality.
- Body position plays a role in the occurrence of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux and promoting the left lateral decubitus sleeping position improves nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.
- Conclusion: Sleep positional therapy using an electronic wearable device promotes sleeping in the left lateral decubitus position and improves reflux parameters measured by pH-impedance reflux monitoring.
To read the full study please visit:
The effect of sleep positional therapy on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux measured by esophageal pH-impedance monitoring – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.14614
