Myofunctional Therapy and Its Effects on Retropalatal Narrowing and Snoring: A Preliminary Analysis of Rehabilitative Approaches

Introduction: Snoring is a common and disturbing condition that is associated with sleep apnea in some cases. Retropalatal narrowing has been reported to be often associated with the condition, as it can lead to increased air turbulence and vibration of tissues in the throat during breathing. The activation of the tongue, soft palate, lateral wall of the pharynx, and face has been shown to keep the upper muscles open during sleep, potentially improving snoring. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effects of myofunctional therapy (MT) in patients with collapsed pharynx. Methods: A total of 18 participants were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria in this one-group pre-post study. MT exercise intervention was performed for 6 weeks, and flexible nasolaryngoscopy was used to diagnose the area of pharyngeal collapse. The impact of MT was assessed using the Berlin questionnaire (to assess the frequency and intensity of snoring) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (to assess daytime sleepiness), which were filled out before and after exercise. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of narrowing of pharyngeal area (retropalatal) (58.8%, p < 0.05) after the intervention, as well as the frequency of snoring (94.1%, p < 0.01). In addition, there was a decrease in snoring frequency, improvement in snoring intensity (100%, p < 0.01), and decline in daytime sleepiness (mean 3.59±2.740, p < 0.01). Conclusion: MT can effectively alleviate narrowing in pharyngeal area, leading to a reduction in snoring and daytime sleepiness.