The effect of sleep positional therapy on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux measured by esophageal pH‐impedance monitoring

Abstract

AbstractBackground & AimsThe 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.MethodsWe performed a single‐center, prospective, interventional study in 30 patients with nocturnal reflux symptoms and a nocturnal esophageal acid exposure time (AET) ≥1.5% measured off acid‐suppressive medication by ambulatory pH‐impedance reflux monitoring. Patients were treated with an electronic positional therapy wearable device for 2 weeks. The device vibrates in the right lateral decubitus position so it conditions patients to avoid that sleep position. After 2 weeks treatment, the pH‐impedance study was repeated. Primary outcome was the change in nocturnal AET. Secondary outcomes include change in number of reflux episodes and reflux symptoms.ResultsComplete data were available for 27 patients (13 females, mean age 49.8 years). The median nocturnal AET decreased from 6.0% (IQR, 2.3–15.3) to 3.1% (0.1–10.8) after 2 weeks of treatment (p = 0.079). The number of reflux episodes was significantly reduced after 2 weeks of treatment (baseline: 8.0 (3.0–12.3) vs. end: 3.0 (1.0–8.0); p = 0.041). Treatment led to a statistically significant decrease in time spent in right lateral decubitus position (baseline: mean 36.9% ± 15.2% vs. end: 2.7% ± 8.2%; p = <0.001) and an increase in the left lateral decubitus position (baseline 29.2% ± 14.8% vs. end: 63.3% ± 21.9%; p = <0.001). Symptom improvement was reported by 70.4% of the patients.ConclusionsSleep 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.