Smartphone apps for snoring. Issue 10 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camacho, M; Robertson, M; Abdullatif, J; Certal, V; Kram, Y A; Ruoff, C M; Brietzke, S E; Capasso, R
• Is Part Of: Journal of laryngology & otology. Volume 129:Issue 10(2015)
• Page Start: 974
• Page End: 979
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215115001978
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-2151

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="sec_a1"> <title>Objective:</title> <p>To identify and systematically evaluate user-friendly smartphone snoring apps.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a2"> <title>Methods:</title> <p>The Apple iTunes app store was searched for snoring apps that allow recording and playback. Snoring apps were downloaded, evaluated and rated independently by four authors. Two patients underwent polysomnography, and the data were compared with simultaneous snoring app recordings, and one patient used the snoring app at home.</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a3"> <title>Results:</title> <p>Of 126 snoring apps, 13 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The most critical app feature was the ability to graphically display the snoring events. The Quit Snoring app received the highest overall rating. When this app's recordings were compared with in-laboratory polysomnography data, app snoring sensitivities ranged from 64 to 96 per cent, and snoring positive predictive values ranged from 93 to 96 per cent. A chronic snorer used the app nightly for one month and tracked medical interventions. Snoring decreased from 200 to 10 snores per hour, and bed partner snoring complaint scores decreased from 9 to 2 (on a 0–10 scale).</p> </sec> <sec id="sec_a4"> <title>Conclusion:</title> <p>Select smartphone apps are user-friendly for recording and playing back snoring sounds. Preliminary comparison of more than 1500 individual snores demonstrates the potential clinical utility of such apps; however, further validation testing is recommended.</p> </sec> </abstract>