Effectiveness of Oropharyngeal Exercises on Daytime Sleepiness, Snoring and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Adults

The field of “oropharyngeal” exercises is a new treatment but it’s a field that causes good prognosis for snoring, daytime sleepiness and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) sufferers. Quasi experimental study using non equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Pretest was taken of comparison group by anthropometric parameter, Epworth sleepiness scale, Snoring scale and STOP BANG sleep apnea questionnaire and no intervention was given. On 15th and 30th day post-test was taken. Then, experimental group was completed and oropharyngeal exercises demonstrated to the adults individually, performed by them for 20 minutes and then pamphlet given to them for motivation. The findings of the study showed that mean daytime sleepiness score in experimental and comparison group at day 15 was 6.87±3.56, 10.90±2.2 and at day 30, was 6.23±3.29, 10.80±2.2 respectively was significantly lower than before intervention i.e. 10.0±2.2, 11.20±2.2 respectively. The mean snoring score in experimental and comparison group at day 15 was 12.37±5.60, 15.80±5.61 and at day 30 was 11.43±5.42, 15.13±5.16 respectively was significantly lower than before intervention i.e. 18.30±4.97, 16.13±5.81 respectively. The mean risk of obstructive sleep apnea score in experimental and comparison group at day 15 was and 1.80±1.21, 2.83±1.02 and at day 30 was 1.73±1.25, 2.67±1.09 respectively was significantly lower than before intervention i.e. 2.80±1.44, 2.93±0.98 respectively. There was also significant positive correlation between them. Hence, oropharyngeal exercises are effective in reducing the daytime sleepiness, snoring and risk of obstructive sleep apnea among adults having snoring.