Study Links Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation to Reduced Health Risks in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea affects over 80 million adults in the U.S., characterized by the soft tissue in the throat collapsing and blocking the airway during sleep, leading to irregular breathing, decreased oxygen levels, and poor sleep quality. This condition is often associated with increased risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Neil Kondamuri, MD, an otolaryngology resident at the University of Chicago Medicine, noted the pervasive yet under-discussed dangers of obstructive sleep apnea. The standard treatment, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, involves using a machine to keep the airway open, but many patients find the devices uncomfortable or noisy, diminishing their use.

Kondamuri emphasized the need for better alternatives, stating, “If it’s such a poorly tolerated treatment option, we need another treatment that can provide similar or better downstream benefits.”

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) presents one such alternative. This surgical technique involves placing an implant that stimulates the tongue nerve to prevent airway obstruction during sleep. The objective remains the same as with PAP: improve oxygenation and sleep quality, thereby reducing health risks.

A recent study led by Kondamuri assessed nearly 3,400 patients who received HGNS and compared them to about 120,000 patients with obstructive sleep apnea who could not reliably use a PAP machine. The findings indicated that HGNS was linked to a reduced likelihood of developing diabetes or high blood pressure within two years.

“Studies demonstrate that if patients are not using PAP consistently — five to six hours per night most days — they may not see the benefits we demonstrate with HGNS,” Kondamuri said.

While the study's follow-up period was too short to definitively evaluate long-term cardiovascular effects such as arrhythmias or heart disease, initial results suggest a decrease in associated health risks. Kondamuri expressed interest in future studies to explore the long-term impact of HGNS and the relationship between the treatment and reductions in blood pressure and glucose levels.

For patients dissatisfied with PAP therapy, Kondamuri recommends consulting a sleep-trained otolaryngologist to discuss alternative treatment options tailored to individual needs.

The study “Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease” was published in JAMA Otolaryngology in July 2026, with co-authors including Kondamuri, Max J. Hyman, Yi Cai, Phillip S. LoSavio, and Ted A. Skolarus.