NCT06773416

Brief Summary

The overall goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the hypothesis that in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and previously untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 4 months of web-based sleep education and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) will improve cognitive function more than web-based sleep education alone. Secondarily, this trial will test the hypothesis that 8 months of CPAP will improve cognitive function more than 4 months of CPAP. Moreover, treating OSA with CPAP can improve cognitive function and reduce Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes in older adults with MCI. This study will compare an Early CPAP Group who will receive CPAP and sleep education simultaneously for 8 months upon enrollment to a Later CPAP Group who will first receive sleep education for 4 months followed by CPAP and sleep education for the next 4 months to test if early treatment is more beneficial. Participants will:

  1. 1.Complete web-based sleep education modules through the Brain Health Pro (BHP) platform
  2. 2.Undergo CPAP therapy, including in-person mask fitting and regular monitoring alongside a study sleep technologist

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
206

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
20mo left

Started Feb 2025

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress43%
Feb 2025Jan 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 8, 2025

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 14, 2025

Completed
18 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2025

Completed
2.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 1, 2027

Expected
4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2028

Last Updated

January 14, 2025

Status Verified

December 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

2.6 years

First QC Date

January 8, 2025

Last Update Submit

January 8, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Obstructive Sleep ApneaCognitive DeclineCPAP TherapyMild Cognitive ImpairmentDementia PreventionSleep EducationBrain HealthCognitive FunctionRandomized Controlled TrialCPAP AdherenceOlder AdultsAlzheimer's Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)

    The SDMT is a test of speeded executive function that is predictive of clinically significant improvement in patients with MCI with a well-defined minimal clinically significant change and that is responsive to CPAP in observational studies. Additional cognitive measures that supplement the primary outcome of this study will be: attention and executive function (Trail Making Test A \& B), working memory (Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing), verbal learning and memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test), and severity of cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale; ADAS-Cog-13).

    From Week 0 to Week 32

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Vascular Risk Factors and AD-biomarkers

    From Week 0 to Week 32

  • MRI

    From Week 0 to Week 16

Study Arms (2)

Group 1 (Early CPAP group)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant will receive a study-provided CPAP device at their baseline visit, with settings set by one of the study sleep medicine physicians according to current clinical practice parameters. Participant will undergo an in-person mask fitting and then will be supported by a study sleep technologist with extensive clinical experience with CPAP who will contact the participant by telephone or video call at set intervals. Masks, tubing, chin straps, and other equipment necessary to optimize CPAP adherence will be provided by the study. Adherence will be monitored through downloads from the CPAP device. Participant will be asked to use CPAP nightly during their participation in this study. Participant will simultaneously participate in web-based sleep education through the Brain Health Pro (BHP) platform; a formal educational program designed to increase dementia literacy, foster engagement, and convey best available evidence for lifestyle changes that can mitigate dementia risk.

Combination Product: CPAP Therapy Combined with Web-Based Sleep Education for Cognitive and Sleep Health

Group 2 (Later CPAP group)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participant will receive the web-based sleep educational intervention first for 4 months. Participant will then receive a study-supplied CPAP device with settings set by one of the study sleep medicine physicians according to current clinical practice parameters. Participant will undergo an in-person mask fitting and will be supported by a study sleep technologist with extensive clinical experience with CPAP who will contact the participant by telephone or video call at set intervals. Equipment necessary to optimize CPAP adherence will be provided. Adherence will be monitored through downloads from the CPAP device. Participant will be asked to use CPAP nightly throughout their participation. Participant will simultaneously participate in web-based sleep education through the Brain Health Pro platform; a formal educational program designed to increase dementia literacy, foster engagement and convey best available evidence for lifestyle changes that can mitigate dementia risk.

Combination Product: Delayed CPAP Therapy Combined with Web-Based Sleep Education for Cognitive and Sleep Health

Interventions

Participants in Group 1 will receive CPAP therapy immediately upon enrollment alongside web-based sleep education through the Brain Health Pro (BHP) platform. The CPAP intervention includes a study-provided auto-titrating device, in-person mask fitting, and ongoing support from a study sleep technologist. Adherence will be monitored via remote data uploads. The BHP platform is a 45-week web-based formal educational program program designed to increase dementia literacy, foster engagement, and convey best available evidence for lifestyle changes that can mitigate dementia risk. This combined approach ensures simultaneous initiation of CPAP and educational reinforcement to optimize adherence and cognitive outcomes.

Group 1 (Early CPAP group)

Participants in Group 2 will begin with 4 months of BHP web-based sleep education before adding CPAP therapy for the remaining 4 months. CPAP setup and support are identical to the Early CPAP group. Participants in Group 2 will experience procedure similar to current clinical practices.

Group 2 (Later CPAP group)

Eligibility Criteria

Age55 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Informed consent obtained and signed
  • Age \>55
  • MCI: Participants will undergo a video-based screening, including a clinical interview, Logical Memory II, MoCA, and Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale Score. A participant will be considered to have MCI if they have: 1) MoCA score of 13-24 and Logical Memory II Score ≤ 8 (\&=16 years of education), ≤ 4 (8-15 years of education) or ≤ 2 (0-7 years of education) and Lawton-Brody IADL Score \>14/23 and do not meet DSM IV criteria for dementia and have a change in self-perceived cognition from previous
  • Moderate-severe OSA: Participants who screen positive for MCI will be mailed an at-home sleep apnea testing device. Participants with ODI≥5 will undergo in-lab polysomnography (PSG) for confirmation and characterization of sleep apnea. A participant will be considered to have moderate-severe OSA if they have on PSG: AHI\>15, and ODI\>10, and central apneas\<10% of all apneas, and periodic limb movement index \<15.

You may not qualify if:

  • drowsiness-related driving accidents or near misses in the past 12 months
  • drives as their primary occupation
  • unable to complete cognitive evaluation in English
  • unable to participate in video-based cognitive assessment
  • not a resident of Ontario
  • contraindications to MRI
  • contraindications to CPAP or unwilling to start CPAP
  • no available study partner to support CPAP
  • previously treated for sleep apnea
  • clinically significant insomnia (ISI \> 15), restless legs syndrome, or shift work
  • taking disease modifying agents for MCI

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada

Location

Related Publications (26)

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Apnea, ObstructiveCognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sleep Apnea SyndromesApneaRespiration DisordersRespiratory Tract DiseasesSleep Disorders, IntrinsicDyssomniasSleep Wake DisordersNervous System DiseasesCognition DisordersNeurocognitive DisordersMental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants are randomized into two groups: Group 1 is an Early CPAP group and Group 2 is a Later CPAP group. Group 1 begins CPAP therapy alongside web-based sleep education from baseline whereas Group 2 starts CPAP therapy after 4 months of web-based sleep education, similar to current clinical practices.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 8, 2025

First Posted

January 14, 2025

Study Start

February 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2028

Last Updated

January 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations