Upper airway muscle exercises outcome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea: focus on myofunctional therapy

“…Authors of non-randomized studies also reported that, after OMT, patients with mild or moderate OSA showed a significant reduction of AHI 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 and AI, 50 , 53 , 54 and an increase of lowest SaO 2 (%) 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 compared to baseline. They also observed a decrease in the percentage of the duration of the SaO 2 <90.…”

“…The types of study included were as follows: RCTs (n=4), 29 – 40 prospective randomized (n=1), 41 prospective case–control (n=1), 1 and prospective case series (n=5). 50 – 54 Table 1 provides a summary of the reviewed studies.…”

“…This model was later used for the treatment of OSA. 54 Although Baz et al 50 have maintained the goals of increasing the tone and endurance of the same muscles for the treatment of OSA, they employed different exercises.…”

“…In most of the studies reviewed, the therapeutic program for adults lasted three months, with a weekly visit and training at home for three 29 , 38 – 40 , 52 to five times a day. 53 , 54 The authors adopted systems of control of adherence to treatment considering the frequency of supervised sessions and a diary indicating home practice. Only one pilot study 51 lasted two months, with training at the clinic for 5 min twice a day and four times per week.…”

“…They also observed a decrease in the percentage of the duration of the SaO 2 <90. 50 , 53 , 54 Mohamed et al 54 analyzed in parallel the effects of OMT in a group of patients with severe OSA, which showed a decrease in mean AHI, but was not statistically significant. The AHI before and after OMT reported by reviewed authors, as well as the ΔAHI%: (AHI before −AHI after)/AHI before × 100) are summarized in Figure 2 .…”