Effect of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy along with BiPAP on Pathophysiological Parameters of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is an increasingly common form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), with an incidence of 15% in men and 5% in women in adults. Itis characterized by repetitive collapse or obstruction of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. OSA is a multi-factorial disorder, where anatomical and non-anatomical factors can contribute to determine different pathophysiological traits. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the periodic transitory decline (hypopnea) or complete interruption (apnea) of breathing due to reduction or blocking of the upper airway during sleep. Aim: This study aims to investigate the Effect of Orofacial myofunctional therapy along with BiPAP on pathophysiological parameters of Obstructive sleep apnea. Case description: A 75 year old male presented with the history of Asthma and Hypertension & Diabetes Mellitus-II. He was diagnosed with Type 2 Respiratory Failure with Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Obesity. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) has been recently introduced as an OSA treatment option for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. An One week exercise programme containing OMT with the routine physiotherapy (Breathing exercises, Active ROM for bilateral upper and lower extremities and functional activities) was given. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale assessing for patient’s sleepiness, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) used for assessing sleep quality of patient and SPO2 assessing for oxygen saturation levels in the blood. An One week exercise programme effectively improves changes in weak and dysfunctional upper airway muscles. Conclusion: Our present study concluded that Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy had proven to be effective in patient with OSA with BiPAP. Keywords: Obstructive Sleep apnea, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, BiPAP