What is a PAP Nap?

A Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Nap is a daytime study for patients who have anxiety about starting PAP therapy, are claustrophobic, or are having difficulty tolerating PAP therapy for their sleep-related breathing disorder. The patient works one-on-one with a sleep technologist, using relaxation, deep breathing and desensitization techniques to try to become more comfortable with PAP therapy.

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Why was the PAP Nap developed?

Patients are more likely to correctly use and stick with their PAP therapy if they receive individual or group education, sleep technologist coaching, and close follow-up. The PAP Nap is one tool we use to help patients effectively use PAP therapy.

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How does the PAP Nap work?

The procedure itself is a short, in-lab cardio-respiratory recording that is attended by a sleep technologist and ranges from 60 to 180 minutes in length. It is expected that the patient will become comfortable enough with the PAP therapy to fall asleep. During the PAP Nap, patients have individual coaching and counseling by a sleep technologist to overcome any fears or discomforts they have about PAP therapy and to make them more comfortable with the mask and pressure sensations. Minimal bio-electrodes are used during these studies.

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Patients are given the opportunity to sleep with PAP therapy after going through this counseling session. The goal of the PAP Nap is to help patients get used to using the equipment themselves so they are more likely to use PAP therapy on a nightly basis at home.