Sleep status and oral function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract Background Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been reported to have narrowed always during sleep and a reduced capacity to expand the upper airways. Therefore, we examined the oral function of patients with OSA by comparing the results of a questionnaire survey on sleep status and the measurement of maximum tongue pressure between them and healthy controls. Methods Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in the OSA group and 29 in the control group. Each participant completed a sleep status questionnaire. Tongue pressure was measured three times, and the highest value was defined as the maximum tongue pressure. Results The OSA group had significantly higher percentages of mouth opening during sleep and xerostomia upon awakening than dhe the control group (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). The maximum tongue pressure was significantly lower in the OSA than in the control group (p = 0.016). Conclusion It is speculated that the activity of the genioglossus muscle, as well as that of other muscles in the patients with OSA, is lower than that healthy participants during tongue pressure generation, which is a momentary action. It is suggested that myofanctional therapy can help improve respiratory function during sleep by increasing the strength of the tongue muscles and upper airway dilator muscles, which also enlarge the upper airway in patients with OSA.