The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of a novel breathing training, called inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), on sleep patterns, breathing and blood pressure for patients diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe sleep apnea.
Aims of the study: 1. To determine the influence of IMST on resting blood pressure and baroreceptor sensitivity. 2. To determine the effect of IMST on sympathetic nervous system by measuring plasma cathecholamines and nerve recording (MSNA). Population: 30 subjects aged 30-75 years, who have previously been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, as defined by the National Institutes of Health (National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute) will be included in this study. Study Protocol: * Pre-training assessment and overnight sleep study * 5-10 minutes each day breathing training (IMST) at home using a hand-held device for 6 weeks * Once weekly laboratory visit * Post-training assessment and overnight sleep study Pre- and post-training assessment include blood pressure measurement, body weight, neck circumference, cardiorespiratory monitoring, nerve recording, blood draw and sleep surveys.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
25
Breathing training designed to augment inspiratory muscle strength, and thus targeted muscle groups may benefit from improved force generating capability result in improved breathing.
Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mmHg)
Blood pressure measured with blood pressure cuff and syphygmomanometer via standard auscultation technique.
Time frame: Weekly blood pressure measures obtained each week for 6 weeks
Apnea hypopnea index
Documentation of the total number of apneas and hypopneas experienced by the individuals per hour of sleep and expressed as the apnea-hypopnea index or AHI which has the following ranges; \<5 normal; 5-15 mild, 15-30 moderate and \>30 severe AHI.
Time frame: Prior to and upon completion of the 6-weeks respiratory strength training.
Sleep Quality Survey (PSQI)
This is a rating scale of overall sleep quality ranging from 0-21 with values \<5 rated as indicative of normal or good sleep quality and a score of 21 indicative of most severe sleep disturbance.
Time frame: Prior to and upon completion of the 6-weeks training.
Plasma cathecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine)
Plasma catecholamines are determined via morning blood draw taken after 20 minutes supine rest. Reference ranges for plasma catecholamines are as follows: plasma epinephrine is 10-200 pg/ml; plasma norepinephrine 80-250 pg/ml and plasma dopamine 0-20 pg/ml.
Time frame: Blood draw taken prior to and upon completion of the 6-weeks respiratory strength training.
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