In 2001, Dr. Fernanda Almeida left her home in Brazil to join the UBC Faculty of Dentistry as a PhD student researching sleep apnea. 

Over the past few decades, researchers have discovered that many factors beyond an increase in weight can lead to sleep apnea, including neuromuscular medical conditions and an imbalance between bone size and soft tissues of the craniofacial region. A breakthrough treatment for the disorder came in the 1980s with the creation of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Since then, several oral appliances have been developed as treatment options, including one by the late UBC Dentistry alum and professor Dr. Alan Lowe, who was Dr. Almeida’s PhD supervisor.  

Much of Dr. Almeida’s research is focused on better understanding patient preference and adherence to sleep apnea treatments. One of her team’s recent studies gave participants the autonomy to choose between using their CPAP machine, oral appliance or neither on a nightly basis. Patients often experience stress and anxiety around using treatments. This study looked at whether giving patients the freedom to select a treatment option without any specific direction would increase adherence.  

The results were astounding; participants used at least one treatment option significantly more often compared to other long-term studies. Several participants also showed decreased blood pressure (a side-effect of sleep apnea).

“We’ve moved towards incorporating patients’ needs and values into sleep apnea treatment, and this study shows that when people have the autonomy to choose their treatment option without feeling stressed or pressured, they’re more likely to actually use it,” says Dr. Almeida. “In the past, we were focused on making sure patients didn’t stop breathing at all during the night. Now, we’re much more focused on ensuring the patient feels better and is doing well. Maybe their breathing overnight isn’t perfect, but if they feel well rested and their blood pressure is a bit lower, then that’s still a success.”