Snoring intensity assessment with three different smartphones using the SnoreLab application in one participant.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To compare the assessment of snoring using the SnoreLab application (app) using three different smartphones by one participant to validate SnoreLab as a method for collecting data for studies on the effectiveness of snoring treatment.

METHODS

A person from the research group was monitored for 30 consecutive nights with the SnoreLab app using three different smartphones (Xiaomi MI8Pro, Samsung Galaxy Alpha, and BQ Aquaris V). The SnoreLab app instructions were strictly followed, and data were collected from the app.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in the measurements from the three smartphones in the time in bed, all snoring time, snoring percentage, and quiet time. BQ and Samsung smartphones determined significantly more light snoring time than did the Xiaomi smartphone. The Samsung smartphone assessed significantly less loud snoring time than did the Xiaomi smartphone and measured the shortest epic snoring time. The lowest Snore Score was calculated with the Samsung smartphone, the highest with the Xiaomi smartphone. Pearson's correlation coefficients demonstrated a relatively strong relationship between the Snore Score measured with the three smartphones.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though there was a relatively strong relationship between the Snore Score measured with the three smartphones by one participant, the observed differences make it difficult to use this index as a method of collecting data for studies on snoring treatment effectiveness when patients use different smartphones; however, the SnoreLab app may be handy to quantify treatment effectiveness for a specific patient, provided the patient always uses the same smartphone.