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RecruitingNCT03646214PREGNCCTUpdated Oct 7, 2025

Improving Sleep Quality During Pregnancy Using an Oral Appliance

An interventional study of Midline traction oral appliance in Snoring and Sleep Fragmentation, sponsored by Texas A&M University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-10-07.

Sponsored by Texas A&M University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
20
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

Many pregnant women suffer from poor sleep quality and snoring. Evidence shows an increasing association between (1) sleep disordered breathing and (2) maternal cardiovascular disease and in-hospital death. Snoring is a variant of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and OSA during pregnancy is associated with higher risks for cesarean delivery, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and preterm delivery. It may also impact fetal outcomes negatively. The purpose of this study is to determine whether sleep quality can be improved in pregnant women who snore by means of an oral appliance that opens the airway. Sleep quality is evaluated objectively using an un-intrusive home sleep test system.

Read the detailed description

As many as 20 percent of women suffer from snoring and poor sleep quality while pregnant. The purpose of this study is to determine whether sleep can be improved in pregnant women who snore by means of a midline traction oral appliance (OA) that opens the airway. This is an interventional study to objectively evaluate OA therapy on breathing during sleep as well as its effect on sleep quality. Pregnant women from all trimesters will be recruited. Each subject is expected to participate in the study for at least five (5) consecutive weeks. Home sleep recordings will be collected at three time points: T0 - Baseline prior to OA use for two consecutive nights; T1- first two consecutive nights wearing the OA; T2 - for two consecutive nights after 4 weeks of appliance use. In addition to the sleep studies performed at each of these time points, subjects will also complete several brief surveys. All participants will be given the opportunity to use their OAs after the 4 week period, and have their sleep recorded at 8 week intervals through the remainder of their pregnancies. Participants will get to keep and use their OAs after the study.

Pregnant women who snore (or otherwise have poor sleep), may qualify to participate in this study. Those who do not want to wear an oral appliance, but are interested in learning about sleep quality while pregnant, may also qualify to participate as a control subject.

02

Conditions studied

  • Snoring
  • Sleep Fragmentation
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Pregnant adults who snore
  • At least 8 teeth per arch
  • Mallampati score from I to II
  • Palatine tonsils grade 0,1 or 2
  • Capable of giving verbal and written informed consent
  • Able to apply the sleep recorder and the oral appliance.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant > 32 weeks
  • Uncontrolled serious health issues
  • Cardiovascular or cardiac rhythm disorders
  • Pharmacological dependency
  • Concomitant use of hypnotic agents or other sleep aids, nicotine or alcohol
  • Ongoing temporomandibular joint disorders
  • Loose teeth or periodontal disease
  • History of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Midline traction oral appliance

    Subjects will wear the oral appliance nightly for 4 weeks. Must snore or have other evidence of sleep disordered breathing.

    Device: Midline traction oral appliance

  • No intervention
    Control

    Subjects who do do not wish to wear the oral appliance will have their sleep monitored in parallel to the experimental subjects for 4 weeks.

Interventions

  • DeviceMidline traction oral appliance

    Device positions the mandible forward to open airway; device can be titrated to gradually advance the mandible.

    Also known as: MyTAP oral appliance, Mandibular advancement device

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Ratio of stable to unstable sleep from CPC

    Ratio of stable to unstable sleep based on cardiopulmonary coupling analysis.

    Time frame: Two nights of sleep recordings at each of 3 time point over 5 weeks.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of snores per hour of sleep

    Number of snores and snore index (#snores/hour of sleep)

    Time frame: At each of 3 time points over 5 weeks

  2. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    Self reported measures concerning sleep over a 1-month period; overall score ranging from 0 to 21; Scores \>7 suggests poor sleep quality.

    Time frame: At baseline and after 5 weeks

  3. Insomnia Sleep Questionnaire (ISQ)

    A screening tool used to guide in the clinical evaluation of insomnia; Scores 3, 4 or 5 to two or more items suggests significant daytime impairment and further evaluation of insomnia.

    Time frame: At baseline and after 5 weeks

  4. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)

    Used to provide an indication of depression, and as a guide to evaluate recovery; Higher scores = depression severity. Score \>20 suggests depression severity.

    Time frame: At baseline and after 5 weeks

  5. Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)

    9-item scale which measures the severity of fatigue and its effect on a person's activities; and lifestyle. Higher scores = greater fatigue severity. Minimum score = 9; Maximum score = 63.

    Time frame: At baseline and after 5 weeks

06

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
    Dallas, Texas 75246, United States
    • Zohre German, MS · Contact · german@tamu.edu · 214-828-8291
    • Jason Hui, DDS · Sub investigator
    • Duane Wilson, DDS · Sub investigator
    • Ann McCann, PhD · Sub investigator
    • Pollyana Moura, DDS · Sub investigator
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03646214
Lead sponsor
Texas A&M University
Responsible party
Emet D. Schneiderman, PhD (Professor, Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 24, 2018
Start date
Feb 1, 2018
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Jul 30, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Oct 7, 2025

Study contacts

Zohre German, MS
Contact
german@tamhsc.edu
214-828-8291
Emet D Schneiderman, PhD
principal investigator · Texas A&M University College of Dentistry
Preetam J Schramm, PhD
principal investigator · Texas A&M University College of Dentistry

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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