# Nuestro Sueno: Cultural Adaptation of a Couples Intervention to Improve PAP Adherence and Sleep Health Among Latino Couples with Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

> **NIH NIH R33** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $807,218

## Abstract

Abstract
Latino adults in the United States (U.S.) are 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and
related dementias (ADRD) compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects
9.8% of Latino adults and confers a five-fold increased risk of AD diagnosis5. Consequences also extend to the
bedpartner, as bedpartners of those with OSA experience significant sleep disturbances, including sleep
fragmentation and 3 times greater risk of insomnia. Given solid mechanistic links between both OSA and
insomnia and ADRD risk, effective OSA treatment has the potential to promote healthy cognitive aging and
reduce ADRD risk for both partners. While the front-line treatment for OSA, positive airway pressure (PAP), is
highly effective at reducing OSA symptoms and may reduce or forestall ADRD risk, its potential is severely
diminished, as up to 80% of patients are non-adherent. Extant PAP adherence interventions are limited in that
they are exclusively focused on the individual, neglecting to consider the role of the bedpartner in treatment,
and developed primarily in non-Hispanic white populations. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop
evidence-based, and culturally-adapted interventions that address the impact of OSA and its treatment on both
partners and within a culturally-tailored framework. The goal of this R61/33 proposal is to develop and
test “Nuestro Sueño” a culturally-adapted intervention to promote PAP adherence and sleep
health among Latino couples. This proposal builds on and extends our team’s recently completed R21
project called “WePAP”, a brief (3 session) telehealth intervention to promote PAP adherence and sleep health
among couples with OSA. Pilot data demonstrates our intervention is feasible, acceptable and shows promise
for improving adherence, sleep, relationship quality and cognitive function for patient and partners. Therefore,
in the next steps, we propose to 1) Conduct a rigorous cultural adaptation and testing process of Nuestro
Sueño, utilizing input from a community advisory board, patient/partner focus groups and field testing and 2)
Conduct a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility, treatment satisfaction and preliminary efficacy of
Nuestro Sueño versus information control (IC) in a sample of 80 OSA patients and their partners (i.e., 40
couples per treatment arm) across two sites (Utah and Arizona). The intervention focuses specifically on the
interpersonal mechanisms of enhancing dyadic coping and communication, using intervention materials
resonant with cultural beliefs and values. If successful, Nuestro Sueño, an innovative and culturally-adapted
intervention, has the potential to significantly advance the treatment of OSA, and may elucidate a critical,
modifiable target of prevention and intervention to promote healthy aging and reduce disparities in ADRD risk
among Latino couples.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11160909
- **Project number:** 4R33AG084477-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Carmela Alcantara
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $807,218
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2023-09-15 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11160909

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11160909, Nuestro Sueno: Cultural Adaptation of a Couples Intervention to Improve PAP Adherence and Sleep Health Among Latino Couples with Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease Risk (4R33AG084477-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11160909. Licensed CC0.

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