CPAP vs High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Treating Sleep Apnea in Children (NCT07600333) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
CPAP vs High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Treating Sleep Apnea in Children
Canada258 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
This study is looking at two different treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. OSA is a sleep condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, which can affect a child's health, behavior, learning, and quality of life.
Children with moderate-to-severe OSA who cannot be treated with surgery are often prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). CPAP uses a mask worn during sleep to deliver pressurized air and keep the airway open. Although CPAP is effective, many children have difficulty using it regularly because it can feel uncomfortable or hard to tolerate.
This study compares CPAP with another treatment called High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC). HFNC delivers warm, humidified air through soft nasal prongs and may be more comfortable and easier for children to use while still helping keep the airway open during sleep.
Children aged 2 to 18 years with moderate-to-severe OSA will be randomly assigned to use either CPAP or HFNC at home during sleep for 3 months. The study will measure how much each treatment is used, how well it improves sleep-related symptoms and quality of life, how comfortable it is for children, and how it affects caregivers.
The goal of this study is to find out whether HFNC is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP for treating obstructive sleep apnea in children.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Years – 18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Aged 2 to 18 years
* Diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, defined as an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) ≥5 events/hour, confirmed by an in-laboratory polysomnography within the previous 6 months
* Deemed to require Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy as part of usual clinical care
* Ability of the participant and/or parent or legal guardian to provide informed consent (and assent when applicable)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Predominant or pathological central sleep apnea (central apnea-hypopnea index ≥5 events/hour)
* Chronic respiratory failure or medical conditions requiring ventilatory support with a set respiratory rate (e.g., neuromuscular disease requiring bilevel ventilation with a backup rate)
* Hypoventilation requiring non-invasive ventilation with a set respiratory rate
* History of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum
* Uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux and/or recurrent vomiting
* Uncontrolled oral secretions
* Prior use of CPAP or High-Flow Nasal Cannula therapy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea within the previous 12 months
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.