Disclosed herein is a method for electrical nerve (510) stimulation, the method comprising: generating an electrical stimulation pattern (100) comprising a plurality of successive pulse trains (110), wherein each pulse train (110) has a pulse train amplitude (111); delivering the electrical stimulation pattern (100) to a subject's hypoglossal nerve (510) with a stimulator (300) having at least one electrode (310); modulating the electrical stimulation pattern (100), wherein modulation of the electrical stimulation pattern (100) comprises gradually increasing the pulse train amplitude (111) from one pulse train (110) to a successive pulse train (110) at stimulation onset (101) until a determined target stimulation amplitude (130) is reached; characterized in that modulation of the electrical stimulation pattern (100) further comprises decreasing the target stimulation amplitude (130) to a defined step-down amplitude (140) within each pulse train (110) after the target stimulation amplitude (130) was reached.