Inclined bed therapy involves raising a person’s head above their feet when they are lying down. People use inclined bed therapy to ease certain health conditions. A person can use special beds, mattresses, bed risers, or pillows to sleep at an incline.

An inclined bed is a type of bed that allows a person to sleep at an elevated angle.

It raises a person’s head above their feet when they are lying down.

A person can raise their head while lying down using various devices, including:

  • bed risers, which attach to the legs at the top of the bed
  • beds that are higher at the top than the bottom
  • wedge-shaped pillows that lift the head, neck, and shoulders
  • an adjustable bed that a person can set to their preferred angle
  • a wedge that fits under a mattress, which allows the entire body to be at an incline

Incline sleeping may help with certain conditions, including:

Nasal congestion and sinus problems

Sleeping on an incline may help with a blocked nose or sinus congestion from a cold, allergies, or other health issue.

When your head and upper body are raised, gravity can help mucus drain more easily from the nose and sinuses. This may reduce pressure, stuffiness, and difficulty breathing through the nose during the night.

Using a wedge pillow or raising the head of the bed is usually better than using several normal pillows.

Snoring

A pilot study from 2020 looked at the effect of different bed incline levels on people who snored regularly.

The researchers tilted participants’ upper bodies to angles of 10 or 20 degrees. They found that snoring stopped in 22% of people at a 10-degree incline, and in 67% of people at a 20-degree incline.

Another 2022 study found that incline sleeping in 25 self-reported snorers experienced better sleep when sleeping with their upper bodies at a 12-degree incline. This included reduced snoring, less waking up in the night, and more time spent in deep sleep.

Acid reflux and GERD

A 2020 study found that raising the head by 20 centimeters when lying down improved acid reflux symptoms compared with lying flat.

A 2021 review found that elevating the head can help with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). It found improved nighttime reflux symptoms and reduced acid exposure in the esophagus. However, the authors note that the quality of the available studies was limited and recommend further research to confirm the benefits.

Sleep apnea

Some research suggests that raising the head of the bed may help with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition that causes a person to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. It can happen when the airways become blocked or narrowed.

A 2022 study found a 30 degree elevation of the head and upper body reduced upper airway collapse and improved sleep apnea symptoms.

A 2024 pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of mild head-of-bed elevation on people with sleep-disordered breathing.

The researchers found that the approach was practical for home use and showed potential benefits for sleep and breathing.

Although inclined bed therapy may be beneficial for those with certain health conditions, infants should never sleep on an incline.

Research has shown that inclined sleep products increase the risk of suffocation. If an infant rolls onto their front on an inclined sleeper, they may be unable to roll back over.

Wedge pillows should also never be placed in an infant’s crib.

Inclined bed therapy involves a person sleeping at an angle. A person can change their sleeping angle using a range of devices, including tilted beds or wedge pillows.

Inclined bed therapy can help reduce the symptoms of various conditions, including OSA and GERD.

Never use inclined bed therapy for an infant, as it can increase the risk of suffocation.

It is advisable for people with underlying health conditions to speak with a doctor before trying inclined sleep.