Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent medical condition with important implications for overall health and quality of life in both children. Therefore, it is important to treat OSA early and effectively. However, adenotonsillectomy, the standard therapeutic approach for children with OSA, is often inadequate. Research shows that 20-40% of children still have residual OSA symptoms after surgery. Therefore, exploring other treatment options, specifically for those patients who currently have insufficient therapeutic options, is an interesting and relevant avenue for research. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of orofacial myofunctional therapy as a treatment option for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Orofacial myofunctional therapy consists of a set of oropharyngeal exercises to correct abnormal orofacial functions and strengthen upper airway muscles that are involved in maintaining airway patency. Both objective and subjective/patient-reported outcomes are collected to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the potential of orofacial myofunctional therapy as a treatment for OSA.
Objective: Determine the effect of 12 weeks of orofacial myofunctional therapy on oromyofunctional, sleep and sleep-related quality of life outcomes in children with OSA (AHI \> 1)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
90
Orofacial myofunctional therapy consists of a set of oropharyngeal exercises to correct abnormal orofacial functions such as mouth breathing and a caudal tongue position, and strengthen upper airway muscles (e.g., muscles of the tongue and soft palate) that are involved in maintaining airway patency.
Ghent University
Ghent, Belgium
RECRUITINGSleep: change in OAHI
Obstructive apnea hypopnea index measured by polysomnography
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Orofacial Myofunctional Outcomes: OMES score
Score on the 'Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with scores' protocol.
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Orofacial strength
Lip and tongue strength measured with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument.
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Quality of Life outcomes: CHQ-PF28
Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF28)
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Sleep: PSQ
Score on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Sleep: BSQ
Score on the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
Sleep: PSG
Polysomnography: * Oxygen Desaturation Index * Saturation 93% * Minimum saturation * Mean saturation * Sleep efficiency * Apnea Index (AI) (- Apnea-Hyponea Index (AHI) = primary outcome derived from PSG)
Time frame: measurement 1: pre therapy, measurement 2: post therapy (after 12 weeks of therapy)
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