Effectiveness of supervised multilevel oropharyngeal rehabilitation via videoconference on tongue function and apnea severity in obstructive sleep apnea: Quasi-experimental study

IF 0.6 Q3 Medicine

Rehabilitacion Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-23 DOI:10.1016/j.rh.2026.100963

J.H. Ong , C.Y. Liu , M.H. Chooi , C.Y. Lin , C.H. Hung

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is marked by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep and is associated with upper airway muscle dysfunction. Oropharyngeal rehabilitation (OPR) targets this dysfunction through structured muscle training. While supervised OPR improves adherence, its time and logistical demands may hinder access and increase dropout.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multilevel OPR program delivered via video conferencing on muscle function and the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in individuals with OSA.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study included 40 participants with OSA who were pair-matched by age, body mass index, and AHI and assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group underwent 12 weeks of a supervised group-based OPR program delivered via video conferencing. Outcomes measured included polysomnographic parameters, tongue muscle strength and endurance, and sleep-related questionnaires, assessed at baseline and post-intervention.

Results

The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in AHI, hypopnea index, and AHI in the supine position compared to controls, with decreases of 25%, 28%, and 29%, respectively, versus 10%, 2%, and a 16% increase in the control group. Significant gains in tongue depression, protrusion, and lateralization strength and endurance were observed. Improvements in tongue protrusion endurance showed a weak, negative correlation (ρ = −0.32) with AHI reduction, and adherence to telerehabilitation reached 90%.

Conclusion

Supervised group-based multilevel OPR delivered via video conferencing effectively improved tongue muscle strength and endurance and significantly reduced AHI in individuals with OSA. These findings suggest that remotely supervised OPR may represent a feasible and non-invasive approach for OSA management.

查看原文本刊更多论文

基于视频会议的监督多级口咽康复对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患者舌功能和呼吸暂停严重程度的影响：准实验研究。

梗阻性睡眠呼吸暂停（OSA）以睡眠中反复出现的上气道塌陷为特征，与上气道肌肉功能障碍有关。口咽康复（OPR）通过有组织的肌肉训练来针对这种功能障碍。虽然有监督的OPR可改善依从性，但其时间和后勤需求可能会阻碍获取并增加辍学率。目的：本研究评估了通过视频会议提供的多层次OPR计划对OSA患者肌肉功能和呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）的有效性。方法：这项准实验研究纳入了40名OSA患者，根据年龄、体重指数和AHI进行配对，分为干预组和对照组。干预组通过视频会议进行了为期12周的有监督的小组OPR计划。测量的结果包括多导睡眠图参数、舌肌力量和耐力，以及在基线和干预后评估的睡眠相关问卷。结果：与对照组相比，干预组的AHI、低通气指数和仰卧位AHI的下降幅度明显更大，分别下降了25%、28%和29%，而对照组则分别增加了10%、2%和16%。观察到舌陷、舌突、舌侧力量和耐力的显著改善。舌突耐力的改善与AHI降低呈弱负相关（ρ=-0.32），远程康复依从性达到90%。结论：通过视频会议进行的监督小组多级OPR有效地改善了OSA患者的舌肌力量和耐力，并显著降低了AHI。这些发现表明，远程监督的OPR可能是OSA管理的一种可行且无创的方法。

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来源期刊

Rehabilitacion Medicine-Rehabilitation

CiteScore

0.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： La revista que es desde hace más de 40 años la publicación oficial de la Sociedad Española de Rehabilitación y referente de la mayoría de las Sociedades de la Especialidad de los países americanos de habla hispana. Se publican 5 números pluritemáticos al año y uno monográfico sobre un tema del mayor interés y actualidad designado por el consejo de redacción.