Recruiting

Testing muscle nerve stimulation to improve sleep apnea breathing

Plain-English translation of NCT05501236 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep, blocking your airway repeatedly throughout the night. This study is testing a new approach using ansa cervicalis stimulation—a technique that gently stimulates a specific neck muscle to help keep your airway open. Researchers believe this treatment could work better than current options for some patients who struggle with sleep apnea.

Most people with sleep apnea use a CPAP machine (which blows air into your nose), but many find it uncomfortable and stop using it. A newer surgical option called hypoglossal nerve stimulation helps some patients, but it doesn't work for everyone. This study explores whether stimulating a different neck muscle might be a better alternative that works for more people.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are an adult with a body mass index between 25 and 40
you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea with moderate severity (15–80 breathing events per hour during sleep)
at least 80% of your breathing interruptions are caused by airway collapse, not other factors
you are able to give informed consent and are willing to participate in the study procedures

You likely don't qualify if…

you are currently taking opioid medications regularly or use illicit drugs or have alcohol dependency
you have other sleep disorders such as central sleep apnea or narcolepsy
you have heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease or use supplemental oxygen
you have had previous upper airway surgery (such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) or already have a nerve stimulator device like a pacemaker
you have had a previous bad reaction to anesthesia

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you would undergo a specialized sleep study where doctors look at your throat while you're under light sedation (called a drug-induced sleep endoscopy). During this procedure, researchers would use a muscle stimulator device on your neck to test whether the stimulation helps keep your airway open. You would also have a second sleep study to measure how the treatment affects your breathing. The study aims to gather information about whether this muscle stimulation technique could be a helpful treatment option.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 7, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee