A major new NHS-backed clinical trial is getting underway in the UK to test a potential alternative to CPAP for millions of people living with obstructive sleep apnoea.
UK sleep health company Zeus Sleep has been awarded £1.48 million in public funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to support one of the largest multi-centre sleep apnoea trials ever run in the UK.
The study will be led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, working with King’s College London, and will assess a new, non-invasive device designed to keep the airway open during sleep — without masks, tubes or surgery.
Sleep apnoea affects an estimated eight million people in the UK. It causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night, leading to severe tiredness, poor concentration, higher risk of heart disease, and increased likelihood of road and workplace accidents.
While CPAP machines remain the NHS gold-standard treatment, more than half of patients stop using them within a year, often because they find them uncomfortable or disruptive. For many, there are currently few alternatives.
“Our aim is simple: to help people sleep better, feel better, and live better.”
The Zeus Sleep device is worn discreetly under the chin and uses gentle electrical stimulation to help prevent airway collapse during sleep. It requires no face mask, no mouthpiece and no invasive procedure.
Earlier NHS-led studies have shown promising results, with:
- 84% of users reporting better sleep
- 78% saying they felt more alert during the day
- 85% continuing to use the device long-term, a far higher rate than CPAP
Separate research by Zeus Sleep also highlights the broader impact of disrupted sleep:
- Over half of adults say snoring negatively affects their lives
- More than one in three couples sleep in separate rooms
- One in eight say snoring worsens anxiety
Researchers say the NIHR-funded trial will provide the robust evidence needed to inform future NHS decisions and could significantly widen access to effective, tolerable treatment for sleep apnoea.
Nigel Clarke, CEO of Zeus Sleep, said: “Our aim is simple: to help people sleep better, feel better, and live better.”
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