Lifestyle modification for obstructive sleep apnoea

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoeas are due to transient closure of the upper airway during sleep and merge into hypopnoeas in which the airway narrows, but some airflow continues. They are due to the forces compressing the airway overcoming those which stabilise its patency. The commonest association is obesity in which fatty tissue is deposited around the airway. Exercise has been recommended as a method of losing weight, but other techniques which achieve this are also thought to improve symptoms due to sleep apnoeas. Sleep hygiene may alter the sleep structure and the control of the upper airway during sleep and thus promote its patency. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review are to determine whether weight loss, sleep hygiene and exercise are effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoeas. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Airways Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and reference lists of review articles have been searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised, single or double blind placebo controlled, either parallel group or crossover design studies of any of these interventions were to have been included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: No completed trials have been identified. MAIN RESULTS: No randomised trial data were available for analysis. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for randomised controlled trials of these commonly used treatments in obstructive sleep apnoeas. These should identify which sub groups of patients with sleep apnoeas benefit most from each type of treatment and they should have clear and standardised outcome measures.