Abstract
BackgroundMyofunctional therapy (MT) is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for treating sleep-disordered breathing. We assessed the clinical application of a newly developed m-Health App, which aimed to allow patients with OSAHS (obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome) to perform oropharyngeal exercises only by interacting with their smartphone without no other devices.MethodsWe offered to treat the OSAHS of 20 patients with the App for 90 sessions. Inclusion criteria were adult patients diagnosed with OSAHS who rejected, or could not tolerate or afford treatment for their OSAHS with other modalities. The App was used by 15 patients, while 5 were noncompliant and then were used as a control group. Polygraphy was performed at the beginning of the study, and after 90 sessions in the App group or after 3 months in the control group. Data for adherence to treatment, sex, body mass index (BMI), age, O2MIN (oxygen minimal saturation) and apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) were collected for both groups.Results15 (75%) patients showed adherence to the treatment as measured as performing the exercises daily 5 days a week. In patients who performed the exercises, AHI decreased from 25.78 ± 12.6 to 14.1 ± 7,7 (p = 0.002), Epworth changed from 18,2 ± 1,98 to 14,2 ± 7,7(p = 0,002) and (O2MIN) changed from 84,87 ± 7.02 to 89,27 ± 3,77 (p = 0.0189). In the control group, there was no significant change.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study reported where a mHealth App based on MT could be by itself a therapeutic option in selected patients with OSAHS.
Highlights
Myofunctional therapy (MT) is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for treating sleepdisordered breathing
MT is a therapy designed theoretically to deal with the underlying mechanism of this disease.(Korhan et al 2015) MT is based on oropharyngeal exercises described by diagrams, videos, and instructions from a myofunctional therapist on a weekly basis
There are nine exercises based on MT that attempt to enhance the tonicity of the various muscles involved in the pathogenesis of Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS)
Summary
Myofunctional therapy (MT) is a therapeutic option with demonstrated efficacy for treating sleepdisordered breathing. We assessed the clinical application of a newly developed m-Health App, which aimed to allow patients with OSAHS (obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome) to perform oropharyngeal exercises only by interacting with their smartphone without no other devices. Myofunctional therapy (MT) has become one of the newest treatments for sleep-disordered breathing.(Camacho et al 2015a) MT is based on daily exercises using oropharyngeal muscles in an attempt to strength them and facilitate opening of the airway. MT is a therapy designed theoretically to deal with the underlying mechanism of this disease.(Korhan et al 2015) MT is based on oropharyngeal exercises described by diagrams, videos, and instructions from a myofunctional therapist on a weekly basis. Mobile technology could be especially valuable in treating OSAHS patient because of its potential to promote patient empowerment and selfmanagement(Iftikhar et al 2017)
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