Philips NightBalance Positional Sleep Therapy Device

Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea (POSA) is a type of sleep apnea in which the majority of disrupted breathing events, called apneas, occur during supine sleep. In fact, 47% of people with OSA may have positional sleep apnea!

POSA is diagnosed using a sleep study that measures body position. The Philips NightBalance device is therefore intended to treat adults with mild to moderate POSA with a non-supine AHI < 10.

To reduce the number of apnea events that are triggered by sleeping supine (on your back), NightBalance trains your body to sleep on your side.

As you sleep, the sensor device (attached to a chest strap) records your sleep patterns. Anytime you lie on your back, the device delivers gentle, quiet vibrations to signal your body to change positions. Once you move to your right or left side, the vibrations stop.

Yes, NightBalance is an effective treatment and CPAP alternative for people with positional OSA. According to a survey that followed 75 NightBalance users for over two years, 73% of users reported long-term improvement in the most common POSA symptoms: non-refreshing sleep, apnea events, and gasping and/or choking during sleep. Also, 70-72% of users reported decreased fatigue and sleepiness during the day!

Like CPAP therapy, positional therapy is intended for nightly use (or at the rate recommended by your physician). Unlike CPAP therapy, NightBalance does not include a mask or tubes, and you do not need to work with a Sleep Therapist or physician to find the right fit. Adherence to NightBalance is also significantly higher than adherence to CPAP for people with OSA.

The best sleep position for POSA is your right or left side. When you sleep on your back, your airway narrows and obstructs your breathing, which leads to symptoms of sleep apnea. When you sleep on your side instead, your airway opens and allows for normal breathing.

No, NightBalance cannot be used to sleep upright or propped up on more than two pillows.

Yes — the NightBalance device functions in any sleeping position, except upright. If you start sleeping on your back, the sensor will vibrate 15 minutes after you turn on the device. While the sensor is on, it will vibrate any time you return to a supine position.

Please note that NightBalance is not recommended for use if a medical condition requires you to sleep on your back.

During the first two nights of use, the device analyzes baseline data on your sleep patterns; it will not send any vibrations to trigger you to change sleep positions. From the third to ninth night, the device gradually introduces gentle vibrations to help you adjust to positional sleep therapy. By the tenth night, full therapy begins. Your body will automatically respond to vibrations that signal you to turn from your back to your side.

No, the vibration levels and patterns are built into the device so that you change your positions without disrupting your sleep. The vibrations will build over the first ten nights so that you acclimate to sleeping with the NightBalance device.

Each night, the app tracks device usage time, percent of time in supine sleep position, detailed view of body positions during night, number of vibrations, and number of reactions to vibrations.

When you turn the NightBalance device on or off, it automatically synchronizes your positional therapy data with your smartphone app and the online portal. (Sleep data from naps shorter than two hours are not included in your recorded metrics.)

If you need to get out of bed, the device will automatically pause for five minutes. If you’re still in bed, you can manually pause the device.

You cannot use NightBalance if you have a pacemaker or in combination with a Home Sleep Test. If you use another medical device or therapy during sleep, consult your medical specialist before you use NightBalance.

Yes, you need a prescription to use NightBalance. Your doctor may prescribe this device if you are diagnosed with POSA with a non-supine apnea-hypopnea index of < 10.