Research
Hybrid Airway Solutions
Better pathways for people whose sleep apnoea remains inadequately controlled
CPAP and custom oral appliance therapy are established treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea. However, some people find these therapies difficult to tolerate or use consistently, while others continue to have clinically important sleep-breathing problems despite an appropriately prescribed and optimised oral appliance.
Our research program is investigating whether carefully selected combination therapies may offer a practical additional pathway for this group. The proposed study will examine therapeutic NightLase laser therapy and a structured AirwayGym mouth-exercise program as adjuncts to ongoing oral appliance therapy. It is not intended to replace appropriate medical assessment, CPAP, or oral appliance care.
Our proposed study
Hybrid Airway Solutions is preparing an Australian pilot, randomised sham-controlled study in adults with documented obstructive sleep apnoea and an inadequate objective response to oral appliance therapy.
Participants would continue to wear their usual optimised oral appliance. The study will compare therapeutic and sham laser procedures, alongside the same prescribed myofunctional exercise program, and assess sleep-breathing outcomes, symptoms, treatment practicality and participant experience.
The study is currently being prepared for Human Research Ethics Committee review. It is not yet recruiting.
Research Team
Dr Peter Dawson
Lead Investigator, Dentist BDS(Adel) BSc Dent(Hon) LMusA LTCL DEN0001542512
Dr Peter Dawson is a general dentist with more than 25 years’ experience in the United Kingdom and Australia, including private practice ownership, independent-contractor, locum and rural roles. Since 2020, he has developed an interest in personalised combination airway therapies, drawing on international clinical discussions, digital scanning and 3D-print workflow development, with input from clinicians, imaging consultants and software developers.
As Lead Investigator, Dr Dawson is responsible for study oversight and for delivering the therapeutic and sham NightLase interventions. He has sought practical scientific feedback from international clinicians experienced in AirwayGym, oral-appliance and laser-therapy studies involving incomplete oral-appliance responders. As Director of Hybrid Airway Solutions and Opsel Pty Ltd, Dr Dawson declares that he receives no financial or other benefit from Fotona or AirwayGym in relation to the interventions investigated in this study
Alvin Ho
Co Investigator, Physiotherapist and Orofacial Myofunctional Clinician BSc(Physiotherapy) PHY0002779680
Alvin is a physiotherapist with professional training in the management of orofacial myofunctional disorders, including temporomandibular joint disorders and sleep-disordered breathing/obstructive sleep apnoea in adults. In this study, he will act as the AirwayGym Trainer, helping participants learn to complete the prescribed exercises correctly and supporting adherence to the program.
Dr Alan Lim
Co Investigator, Dentist BDS(UWA) DEN 0001325578
Dr Alan Lim is a University of Western Australia dental graduate with extensive experience in general and sleep dentistry, including the management of temporomandibular disorders and obstructive sleep apnoea. He has contributed to sleep-medicine research involving oral appliance therapy and, in this study, will assist with identifying and screening potentially suitable patients for referral into the ethics-approved study process. As Data Custodian, Dr Lim will retain identifiable participant information on a separate computer network, helping preserve blinding of the allocated interventions delivered by Dr Peter Dawson (NightLase) and Alvin Ho (AirwayGym).
Dr Ivan Ling
Safety Monitor, Respiratory and Sleep Physician MB BS FRACP MED0001540974
Dr Ling is a University of Western Australia medical graduate and specialist Respiratory and Sleep Physician, with training at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and a Graduate Certificate in Adult Sleep Science. He provides specialist care for respiratory and sleep disorders, including sleep-disordered breathing, and consults and reports at CRS while holding a public hospital appointment at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. For this study, Dr Ling will have timely access to participants’ WatchPAT ONE results throughout the study period and may recommend pausing an intervention if a participant safety concern arises.
International collaborators
Dr Carlos O’Connor
Reina, MD, PhD - Spain
Dr O’Connor-Reina provides specialist scientific and technical advice regarding the AirwayGym myofunctional-therapy program and its integration with oral appliance therapy. He is a co-author of a multicentre randomised-trial protocol evaluating app-based myofunctional therapy as an adjunct to mandibular advancement device treatment in moderate obstructive sleep apnoea.
Dr Enoch Ng
University of Alberta, Canada
Dr Ng provides clinical and research advice informed by his controlled study of phototherapy as an adjunct for people whose obstructive sleep apnoea remains inadequately controlled with oral appliance therapy. His input has assisted consideration of the NightLase C3 protocol, sham-treatment approach and clinically meaningful response terminology.
These related studies are distinct from the proposed Australian study. Neither study should be represented as proof that the combination treatment is effective; the purpose of the proposed research is to assess feasibility, safety, acceptability and preliminary clinical effect in an Australian setting.
Why this research matters
Obstructive sleep apnoea is not one-size-fits-all. A treatment that works well for one person may be uncomfortable, impractical or only partly effective for another. People with persistent OSA despite optimised oral appliance therapy require careful review rather than an assumption that no further options exist.
This research seeks to improve the evidence base for personalised, phenotype-informed adjunctive care. Any future treatment recommendations must be guided by study results, individual clinical assessment and appropriate medical oversight.
Proposed study location
The proposed study would be conducted through Hybrid Airway Solutions at:
Suite 66, Level 4, Wexford Medical Centre
3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch WA 6150
This remains subject to ethics approval and final site arrangements.
Questions and Answers
-
No. The study is being prepared for ethics review and is not yet recruiting. No treatment, screening or enrolment can occur unless and until the required approvals are in place.
-
The proposed study is intended for adults who have:
a documented diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea;
an appropriately prescribed custom oral appliance that has been fitted and optimised; and
evidence that OSA remains inadequately controlled when the appliance is used.
Final inclusion and exclusion criteria will be set out in the ethics-approved protocol and participant information materials.
-
People may be unsuitable for reasons such as unassessed or unstable medical conditions, circumstances that make laser treatment or home sleep testing inappropriate, inability to follow the study procedures, or other protocol-defined exclusions. Eligibility cannot be confirmed from a website enquiry.
-
No participant would be asked to stop clinically indicated treatment merely to join the study. The proposed study is designed around continued use of the participant’s usual oral appliance. Individual treatment decisions remain with the participant and their treating clinicians.
-
If approved, participation is expected to include assessment visits, use of the usual oral appliance, prescribed mouth exercises, laser or sham-laser appointments according to group allocation, home sleep testing and questionnaires. The exact schedule, possible risks and time commitment will be explained in the ethics-approved Participant Information and Consent Form.
-
Once ethics approval has been granted, this page will provide the approved participant-information materials and contact details.
Register your interest in future research updates
If you would like to receive an email if this study opens for recruitment, you may register your name and email address for research updates.
Registering interest does not mean you are enrolled in the study, eligible to participate or suitable for treatment. Please do not provide health, dental or sleep-study information through this form. Your details will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Book an Initial Consultation
Choose an in-person, secure video, or telephone consultation through our Halaxy booking portal.
Appointment fees and booking conditions are shown securely during online booking.