Positional sleep aids are products and devices that support or encourage sleeping in positions that can lead to more restful sleep. They are particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with sleep-related issues such as snoring, sleep apnea, back pain, and acid reflux.
Products for snoring, back pain, and acid reflux are available over-the-counter without US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. Devices for positional sleep apnea are FDA-cleared and available by prescription.
Positional sleep apnea is when airway collapse occurs more frequently when a person with obstructive sleep apnea is sleeping on their back (supine). Positional therapies can sometimes resolve positional sleep apnea on their own, or they can be combined with other sleep apnea therapies.
This positional sleep aids guide compares devices on parameters including how the device works, acclimation period, FDA status, prescription versus over-the-counter, price, power supply, weight, data recorded, dimensions, warranties, reimbursement, and more.
The positional sleep aids compared are:
Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc Night Shift Sleep Positioner
AI Works Global Inc Smart Anti Snore Pillow
CPAPology by KEGO Sleep Noodle UP
Dr. Kakar Products Dr. Kakar’s Pillow
Sleep Specialists LLC ZZOMA
Smart Nora
| Company | Advanced Brain Monitoring Inc | Ai Works Global, Inc | CPAPology by KEGO | Dr. Kakar Products | Sleep Specialists LLC | Smart Nora Inc | ||
| Device | Night Shift Sleep Positioner | Smart Anti Snore Pillow | Sleep Noodle UP | Dr. Kakar’s Pillow | Zzoma | Smart Nora | ||
| How It Works | Worn around the neck or chest, Night Shift begins to vibrate when the user initiates supine sleep. The vibration slowly increases in intensity until a position change occurs. Night Shift is also an intelligent, interactive monitor that measures sleep quality and the frequency of unhealthy loud snoring. | 1. Snoring detected 2. Head position detected 3. Airbag inflated 4. Turn the head to the side gently 5. Airway cleared 6. Snoring intervened | The Sleep Noodle helps to provide positional therapy by using its foam insert to ensure comfort but sufficient support to maintain side sleeping. An industrial-strength hook-and-loop fastener ensures the belt maintains its connection while wrapped around the user. The latest version is the Sleep Noodle UP, which allows the user to wear the noodle in a horizontal or vertical alignment. | Supports both side and back sleepers for optimal comfort. | Designed by a board-certified sleep physician and worn around the upper torso, Zzoma treats mild to moderate positional obstructive sleep apnea and snoring by ensuring patients remain on their side while sleeping—normalizing sleep quality while minimizing nighttime disruption and daytime fatigue. | Smart Nora turns any pillow into a smart pillow. The device monitors breathing and predicts snoring using AI, then creates a gentle and slow motion under the pillow. This gentle application of positional therapy stops snoring without waking up the user. | ||
| Acclimation Period | After the first night of use, a patient will know if the device is effective, based on how many times he/she attempted to sleep supine and how quickly he/she responded to the vibrotactile feedback. | Not specified | 14 days | 1 week | ~2 weeks | 3-14 days | ||
| FDA Status | FDA cleared for the treatment of positional OSA and chronic snoring | None | None | None | FDA cleared for mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring (K100160) | None | ||
| Accessibility | Prescription | Over-the-Counter | Over-the-Counter | Over-the-Counter | Prescription | Over-the-Counter | ||
| Price | $495 (with a $100 Explanation of Benefits rebate billed under E0530) | $659 | $79.95 | $39.95 | $289.95 | $399 | ||
| Power Supply | rechargeable lithium polymer 200mAh | DC 5V/10W | N/A | N/A | N/A | 110-220 V adapter. For regular use, keep the base unit plugged into the wall, and the “pebble” connected to the base unit using the USB cable. | ||
| Dimensions (cm) | 5.6 x 3.8 x 1.3 | 60 x 40 x 12 | 14 x 20 x 34 | 41 x 22 x 18 | 12 x 6 x 4 | 12 x 25 x 19 | ||
| Weight (grams) | 44 | 3,000 | 460 | 880 | <454 | 1,900 | ||
| Data Recorded | sleep/wake, head position, snoring dB | snoring analysis | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||
| Warranties/Guarantees | 30-day money-back guarantee to prevent supine sleep; warranties: 2 years on workmanship, 1 year on battery and vibration motors, 6 months on neck and chest strap | 30-day-trial; 1-year-warranty | 1-year-warranty | 60-day money-back guarantee (less shipping and handling) | 30-day money-back guarantee; 1-year warranty for replacements | 30-day money-back guarantee; 1-year-warranty | ||
| Reimbursement | PDAC-verified; FSA/HSA eligible | none | none | none | 0.00 HCPCS E0190 for positioning cushion/pillow/wedge, any shape or size, includes all components and accessories | FSA/HSA eligible | ||
| Supporting Study | Levendowski DJ, Seagraves S, Popovic D, Westbrook PR. Assessment of a neck- based treatment and monitoring device for positional obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2014;10(8):863-71. | Cazan D, Mehrmann U, Freuschle A, Maurer JT. Der effekt eines kissens zur kopflageänderung auf das schnarchen. Somnologie. 2014 Jun;18:101–6. | Not provided. | Not provided. | Permut I, Diaz-Abad M, Chatila W, et al. Comparison of positional therapy to CPAP in patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2010 Jun 15;6(3):238-43. | www.smartnora.com/pages/study-results | ||
| Additional Information | Reports provide sleep efficiency, WASO, positional snoring (dB), sleep position, sleep time, awakenings/hr, vibrations/supine attempt, daily/monthly/365-day reporting. Can be paired with a Nonin WristOx to deliver positional ODI for screening and efficacy testing using the PoSAS software. Wireless connectivity and a mobile app available for IOS and Android. | Adjustable 9 cm to 13 cm height with memory foam pads. Cooling pillowcase available. | Sleep Noodle is available in two sizes and two models (Sleep Noodle and Sleep Noodle UP). All Sleep Noodles are made of neoprene, polyester and nylon, with a mesh lining for comfort and breathability. | Raj Kakar, MD, MPH, medical director for both Dallas Sleep and Snoring & Fatigue Center, dreamed up the idea of Dr. Kakar’s Pillow. | Also sold in Canada, Finland, Ireland, and the Netherlands. In a clinical study of patients with positional OSA, Zzoma was found to be just as effective as CPAP while allowing patients to sleep on their own pillow. Features a wedge-shape design, stretch material, and adjustable straps. Included inflatable bladder can replace the foam during travel. | A queen-size pillow (50 x 70 cm / 20 x 30 inches) is recommended to ensure Smart Nora’s Pillow Insert is edge-to-edge under the pillow. |
Information for this guide based on data submitted by positional sleep aid marketers. Sleep Review strives for accuracy in all data but cannot be held responsible for claims made by marketers. Pricing is subject to change. All positional sleep aid marketers get one listing at no charge. Advertisers are offered multiple listings. All positional sleep aid options may not be included. Email editor[at]sleepreviewmag.com to be considered for the next update.
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