A research study on OSA was conducted in means to answer this question: does minimal equipment, like an oximeter and a phone, suffice to detect OSA? In Quebec’s public health care system, the wait to obtain an appointment for a diagnostic laboratory polysomnography exam can vary between six to twelve months. The study’s goal is to test at-home devices to detect possible cases of OSA, to prioritize them for a polysomnography exam.

The study was conducted on eight participants, some with treated OSA (CPAP), some with potential OSA untreated, and the controls.

For 19 days, the participants measured their blood oxygen level before falling asleep and at arousal and an average difference in blood oxygen level was calculated. The potential OSA group was the only one to have a negative average, meaning their average blood oxygen level decreased between nighttime and arousal. The results provided by the sleep tracking application, specifying the time spent in light and deep sleep were not significant. Considering the study’s limitations, the application did not suffice to answer my research question, but the oximeter presented significant results. It seems this device could detect possible cases of OSA and encourage certain individuals to seek professional help.