The study aims to introduce a specific motivational intervention for patients with
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) starting CPAP adaptation, aimed at improving sleep quality
and disease management through good adherence to treatment. Additionally, the study will
investigate adherence to the proposed treatment in both groups, using average daily use
as an adherence indicator, defined as the total hours of CPAP divided by the total number
of observation days. Secondary objectives include investigating the effectiveness of the
motivational treatment on subjective sleep quality compared to the control group and
assessing whether there are statistically significant differences between the clinical
practice group (Control Group - GC) and the Experimental Group (GS) in terms of daytime
sleepiness (ESS), sleep quality (PSQI), disease perceptions (B-IPQ), and quality of life
related to the disease (SF-12). Inclusion criteria are adult patients with OSA (mild,
moderate, severe) who are beginning their adaptation process to CPAP and can understand
the Italian language. Exclusion criteria include minors, patients already adapted to
CPAP, and those unable to understand the Italian language. During the ME-CA study at the
Sleep Center, participants will undergo the following procedures to evaluate adaptation
to CPAP therapy and its impacts on sleep quality and quality of life. Participants will
have an initial evaluation with a pulmonologist in an outpatient setting at the Sleep
Center (according to standard clinical practice). They will complete questionnaires to
collect socio-demographic data, disease perception, daytime sleepiness, sleep quality,
quality of life, and service usability at three different times: at enrollment (T0), one
week after the intervention (T1), and three months after the conclusion of the
intervention (T2). The adaptation process will follow the assigned protocol (GS or GC);
specifically, the Experimental Group will receive a four-phase psychological-motivational
intervention in addition to standard CPAP adaptation. Phase 1 (Pre-adaptation
psychoeducation): Within two days prior to the home visit by the provider, which
typically occurs within three days of the visit with the pulmonologist, participants will
be shown an educational video on OSA (25 minutes) and provided with necessary supplies
(device, masks, and tubing). Phase 2 (Motivational Interview): After the first night of
titration and CPAP use, participants will be contacted for a brief motivational interview
(25 minutes). Phase 3 (Psychological Support Interview): One week after the provider's
intervention and the start of CPAP adaptation, participants will be contacted for a
support interview (40 minutes), as the first week of adaptation is considered a high-risk
period for abandoning device use. Phase 4 (Monitoring Interview): Two weeks after the
provider's intervention and the beginning of CPAP adaptation, participants will be
contacted for a monitoring interview (30 minutes) to ensure no difficulties or issues
have arisen during the adaptation process. The frequency and duration of the CPAP
adaptation will span a total of 16 days. During this period, participants in the
Experimental Group (GS) will engage in four distinct phases, each involving specific
meetings or evaluations totaling 120 minutes of participation. These will include
psychoeducational sessions, motivational interviews, psychological support, and
monitoring. The Control Group (GC), on the other hand, will follow the standard CPAP
adaptation pathway without additional meetings or interventions during the initial 15-day
adaptation period. Participants in the control group will follow the standard CPAP
adaptation pathway. After the visit with the pulmonologist responsible for the Sleep
Center, patients in the control group will be offered adaptation to CPAP therapy. They
will then be contacted by the provider to arrange a home visit, usually within three days
of the visit with the pulmonologist, during which the necessary supplies (device, masks,
and tubing) will be provided. Following this, there will be a 15-day adaptation period
during which the patient will use the device without further contact with medical staff
or the provider. At the end of this period, if the patient has shown adequate
adaptability to CPAP therapy, the physician will proceed with the final prescription of
the device.