Feasibility and Signal Quality Evaluation of a Sleep Apnoea Detection System Using Wearable Sensor Technology

Adequate and restorative sleep is essential for maintaining physiological health, cognitive function and overall well-being. However, sleep disorders - particularly obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) - can significantly impair sleep quality and contribute to the development of other complications. Despite its high prevalence, OSA often remains undiagnosed, largely due to the limited accessibility and convenience of current diagnostic procedures. To address this challenge, the present study with 20 participants focuses on the development and preliminary evaluation of a patient-centred system designed for automated detection of sleep apnoea and long-term monitoring of therapeutic interventions. The system integrates electrical impedance pneumography and photoplethysmography to record key physiological parameters including respiratory effort, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂). System modules were implemented for signal processing, data analysis and wireless transmission. An initial evaluation of the prototype was conducted to assess signal quality. While the results indicate several areas for optimisation - particularly in terms of hardware stability and reliability of data transmission - the overall concept shows considerable potential for future application in clinical and home environments.