Oropharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises in obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common pattern of sleep-disordered breathing in the adult population. It is characterized by episodes of partial or complete cessation of breathing during sleep due to the collapse of the pharyngeal airway. OSA is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This study brings forth the case of a 54-year-old male who was experiencing breathing difficulty during sleep with recent episodes of sudden loss of consciousness followed by labored breathing and excessive sweating. He was diagnosed and treated for a bifascicular block. This was followed by the additional diagnosis of OSA. The treatment plan comprised a set of Oropharyngeal Muscle-Strengthening Exercises (OMSE). The daytime sleepiness was quantified using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Over the span of 6 weeks, an improvement of −2 points on the score was documented, which is considered to be statistically significant according to the ESS scale. From this case report, the authors concluded that OMSE can be used as an alternative treatment option for mild OSA. OMSE is a noninvasive, cost-effective intervention for mild OSA that provides long-term benefits to the patient. Timely diagnosis and intervention can help in improving the quality of life of the patient.