Comprehensive Nursing Intervention Improves Polysomnography Success, Safety, and Patient Experience in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Xiaodong Feng,1 Yuqing Miao,2 Chenhai Zheng,3 Shuai Yuan,3 Jie Qin3 1Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Spleen Thyroid Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Burn Plastic Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jie Qin, Department of Otolaryngology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS); however, monitoring failure and patient discomfort can compromise diagnostic accuracy. This study evaluated whether comprehensive nursing interventions improved PSG monitoring success, clinical parameters, and patient outcomes.Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 100 patients with OSAS who underwent PSG. Participants were sequentially allocated to a control group (n=50) receiving standard care or an observation group (n=50) receiving comprehensive nursing intervention. The intervention integrated structured patient education, proactive technical management of monitoring equipment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and psychological support for patients. The primary outcomes were the PSG success rate and monitoring interruptions. Secondary outcomes included oxygen saturation, sleep architecture, cardiovascular events, and psychological status (anxiety and depression scores). Between-group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders.Results: The observation group demonstrated a significantly higher monitoring success rate than the control group (96.0% vs. 82.0%, P=0.025; odds ratio [OR] = 5.27, 95% CI: 1.12– 24.84) and fewer monitoring interruptions (16.0% vs. 36.0%, P=0.023). The intervention group also showed significantly improved mean and lowest arterial oxygen saturation, reduced obstructive apneas and awakenings, and shortened sleep latency (all P< 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was observed in the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) between the groups (P=0.312), suggesting that the intervention did not alter the underlying OSAS severity. Furthermore, the incidence of abnormal blood pressure (4.0% vs. 20.0%, P=0.014) and arrhythmia (2.0% vs. 16.0%, P=0.014) was significantly lower. Post-intervention, the observation group reported significantly lower anxiety and depression scores (P< 0.0001).Conclusion: A structured nursing intervention was associated with improved PSG technical success, reduced cardiovascular events during monitoring, and better psychological well-being of patients. These findings suggest that comprehensive nursing protocols may optimize diagnostic quality in sleep medicine, although multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm causality.Plain Language Summary: Better Care Leads to Better Sleep TestsDiagnosis of sleep apnea often involves an overnight sleep test (polysomnography [PSG]) with many wires and sensors. This can be uncomfortable and stressful, sometimes leading to failed tests that need to be repeated.Our study compared a new, more supportive approach to nursing care during these tests with standard care. Nurses provided clearer explanations before the test, checked patients more often to fix any loose sensors, and offered reassurance to help reduce anxiety.We found that this more thorough care was linked to important differences:Fewer failed tests: The success rate of the sleep test was 96% with comprehensive care compared with 82% with standard care.Safer for patients: Dangerous spikes in blood pressure and irregular heartbeats occurred less frequently.Less stress: Patients reported feeling less anxious and less depressed during the process.These results suggest that a more attentive and supportive nursing approach may help sleep tests succeed more often, keep patients safer, and improve their experiences. Further research is required to confirm these findings in other hospitals.Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea, polysomnography, nursing intervention, sleep monitoring, patient safety