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

Background & aims: The 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.

Methods: We 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.

Results: Complete 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.

Conclusions: Sleep 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.