What’s Next for Sleep Apnea Relief, with Danny Eckert, Ph.D.
Oral devices, nerve stimulation, position therapy and medications may offer alternatives to traditional CPAP therapy.
By
Lana Pine
| Published on June 17, 2025
2 min read
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 1 billion people worldwide, and for many, finding the right treatment can be a challenge. At the recent SLEEP 2025 conference, Danny Eckert, Ph.D., a sleep expert and professor at Flinders University, shared exciting updates about new and emerging options for people living with this chronic condition.
Traditionally, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been the go-to therapy for sleep apnea. CPAP works by keeping the airway open using a stream of air through a mask. Though it is effective, many people find it uncomfortable or hard to stick with long term. Fortunately, CPAP is no longer the only option.
Eckert highlighted oral appliances — mouthguard-like devices fitted by a dentist that gently pull the jaw forward to keep the airway open. These can be more comfortable than CPAP and are showing similar health benefits because patients tend to use them more regularly.
Surgical options are also evolving. One innovation is hypoglossal nerve stimulation, which works like a pacemaker for your tongue. A small implant helps move the tongue forward during sleep to prevent airway blockage. Research is ongoing to improve this approach and make it more accessible, especially for people who are not candidates due to higher body weight.
There are also clever wearable devices for position therapy, which gently vibrate if you’re sleeping on your back — the position where sleep apnea is often worse. This simple feedback helps some people get relief by encouraging side sleeping.
Perhaps most exciting are the new medications in development. These include GLP-1 agonists (often used for weight loss and diabetes treatment), nasal sprays that stimulate airway reflexes, and medications targeting upper airway muscles or breathing patterns. While not all are available yet, these therapies are currently being studied and hold promise for people who haven’t found success with current options.
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