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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jul 15:2022:1674973.
doi: 10.1155/2022/1674973. eCollection 2022.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Traditional Breathing Therapy on Pulmonary Function in College Students with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Yunxiang Pei  1   2 , Yongzhao Fan  1   2 , Xiaoyang Kong  1 , Huan Sun  1 , Jun Zhou  1 , Hao Wu  1   2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Traditional Breathing Therapy on Pulmonary Function in College Students with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Yunxiang Pei et al. Contrast Media Mol Imaging. .

Abstract

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem that involves many body systems, but its impact on the respiratory system deserves special attention. While there are many studies investigating the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat lung function in patients with sleep apnea, the lack of studies in the literature on the effects of traditional breathing therapy on lung function in patients with OSA prompted us to conduct such a study.

Objective: The present randomized trial aims to assess the effect of traditional breathing therapy on daytime sleepiness and pulmonary function in college students with OSA.

Methods: Forty college students (male) with OSA were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the traditional breathing therapy group (TG). Daytime sleepiness symptoms in OSA are measured primarily by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Pulmonary function measurements included FVC, FEV1, PEE, and MEF50%. The changes in morning blood pressure (BP), including diastolic BP and systolic BP, were also recorded. Data were recorded before and after the experiment.

Results: A decrease in ESS at 12 weeks after intervention had statistical significance compared with values recorded before intervention (P < 0.05). A decrease in systolic and diastolic BP at 12 weeks after intervention had statistical significance compared with values recorded before intervention (P < 0.05). Comparisons made in terms of pulmonary functions demonstrated a statistically significant increase in 12-week postintervention values of FVC, FEV1, PEF, and MEF50% (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study shows the positive effects of traditional breathing therapy on pulmonary function parameters. This suggests that traditional breathing therapy treatment in OSA patients is as effective as CPAP on pulmonary function, while there is an improvement in daytime sleepiness and a modest decline in the mean daytime systolic and diastolic BP.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of ESS between the CG and TG groups. Pre, before the experiment. Post, after the experiment. Compared with CG (post), ###P < 0.001; compared with TG (pre), ∗∗∗P < 0.001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a, b) Comparison of systemic blood pressure between the CG and TG group. Pre, before the experiment. Post, after the experiment. Compared with CG (post), #P < 0.05, and compared with TG (pre), ∗∗∗P < 0.001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a–d) Comparison of pulmonary function parameters between the CG and TG group. Pre, before the experiment. Post, after the experiment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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