Continuous positive airway pressure alleviates insomnia in workers sleeping near other workers with sleep apnea after the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure for improving the sleep of all individuals residing in a temporary shelter.

METHODS

Workers at a nuclear power plant using a gymnasium as temporary shelter were divided into two groups: 15 workers with obstructive sleep apnea received continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and 107 workers without obstructive sleep apnea received no treatment. We assessed subjective sleepiness among the workers with obstructive sleep apnea before and after continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and evaluated insomnia in all workers before and after workers with obstructive sleep apnea were given continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

RESULTS

Workers who received continuous positive airway pressure treatment reported significantly improved subjective sleepiness, but did not experience a significant change in insomnia symptoms. However, workers without obstructive sleep apnea reported significant improvements in their insomnia symptoms following the treatment of workers with obstructive sleep apnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Using continuous positive airway pressure to treat workers with obstructive sleep apnea residing in temporary shelters may help prevent adverse health consequences from insomnia among other individuals sleeping nearby.