Abstract
The tone of the intraoral und pharyngeal muscles of the upper airway is of particular importance for the development of snoring. By increasing the tone with electrical stimulation, a reduction in snoring may be achieved. The aim of the study was to record the effects of intraoral muscle stimulation during the day on snoring at night.The prospective bi-centric study included 16 patients with snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnoea (Apnoea Hypopnoea Index [AHI] < 15, BMI < 32). After initial polygraphy, snoring was monitored over 2 weeks (baseline) using a visual analogue scale (VAS; 0–10). This was followed by a 6-week treatment phase (2 × 20 min daily) with an intraoral electrical stimulation device. During and up to 2 weeks after therapy, snoring intensity in addition to use and potential side effects were documented on a daily basis.Three patients discontinued therapy because of technical problems. The 13 remaining patients (11 male/2 female, BMI 26.9 ± 3.2, AHI 9.3 ± 4.6) underwent per-protocol analysis. The mean snoring score was reduced from 5.6 ± 1.1 (baseline) to 3.2 ± 2.7 (after therapy) and remained stable until 2 weeks after treatment (3.3 ± 2.4). In 7 patients (53.9%) the score was reduced by more than 50%. Patients with an AHI < 10 responded better to therapy. No unexpected events occurred.In the present pilot study, the first signs of the effectiveness of intraoral muscle stimulation in snoring patients were shown. In addition to a technical improvement of the stimulator, carrying out controlled trials and assessing potential influencing factors on the success of therapy are necessary.
Highlights
During the treatmentphase and up to2 weeks afterthe end of the treatment, the snoring intensity was documented daily by the bedpartner according to a visual analogue scale
16 patients were included in the study
It is suspected that these effects were caused by a change in oropharyngeal muscle tone
Summary
In the bicentric prospective study (Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Germany; Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom), a total of 16 patients (body mass index [BMI] < 32) with snoring and mild sleep apnea (AHI < 15) were tested. The patients snored regularly for at least the last 6 months and did not suffer from an OSA requiring treatment (AHI < 15). A further critical inclusion criterion was the existence of a bedpartner who documented the snoring intensity and changes during and after the treatment period. During the treatmentphase and up to weeks afterthe end of the treatment (post-treatment phase, day 43–56), the snoring intensity was documented daily by the bedpartner according to a visual analogue scale The required devices were provided by the manufacturers free of charge, and remained in the possession of the subjects after completion of the study. Upon inclusion in the study, the snoring intensity was recorded via VAS by the bedpartner for 2 weeks (baseline: day –14 to –1). Comparison of the values before and after the treatment was conducted using the Wilcoxon rang sum test
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
