The effect of a sleep and exercise programme on physical and mental health in patients with OSA

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are often overweight and weight loss has been shown to improve disease burden. There is also an increase in mental health disorders such as depression associated with OSA. (Vanek J et al. Sleep Med. 2020;72:50-58) Despite this, previous studies into prescribing sleep and exercise programmes for patients with OSA have been limited in achieving weight loss and have not considered mental health benefits. (Borel J et al.&nbsp;Thorax&nbsp;2018;73:5-6) <b>Aim:</b> To evaluate if a prescribed sleep and exercise programme can improve physical and mental health in patients with OSA. <b>Methods:</b> Patients with a diagnosis of OSA and a BMI&gt;30 were recruited. They underwent a 12 week structured sleep and exercise programme and were weighed before and after the programme. They also completed the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), one minute sit-to-stand test (STS) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) before and after. The differences in these before and after the programme were then analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. <b>Results:</b> 18 patients with OSA were recruited with a mean age of 56.9±7.3. The mean weight loss was 1.45kg±2.65kg. The prescribed sleep and exercise programme resulted in an increase in distance covered in the ISWT (mean±SD = 201.9±153.0, p&lt;0.05) and number completed in the STS (mean±SD = 13.2±8.0, p&lt;0.05). There was also a decrease in the depression subscale of the HADS (mean±SD = -2.17±1.99, p&lt;0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> The preliminary findings suggest that a prescribed sleep and exercise programme can lead to better physical and mental health in patients with OSA.&nbsp;Further&nbsp;studies are needed to see if these effects are maintained long term.