Background
Many people with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe through their mouths while sleeping, which can worsen their condition. This study aimed to see if using mouth tape to encourage nose breathing could improve their symptoms.
Method
The study involved 20 adults with mild OSA who used 3M silicone hypoallergenic tape to keep their mouths closed during sleep. They were tested for sleep apnea before and after using the mouth tape.
Key Findings
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Overall Improvement: 65% of participants had a significant reduction in sleep apnea severity when using mouth tape. The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), which measures the severity of sleep apnea, dropped from an average of 8.3 events per hour to 4.7 events per hour.
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Snoring Reduction: The number of snoring events per hour decreased by nearly half, from 303.8 to 121.1 events per hour.
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Better Oxygen Levels: There were improvements in the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the lowest oxygen saturation during sleep, indicating better overall oxygen levels.
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Position Matters: The biggest improvements were seen in participants who slept on their backs. Their AHI dropped significantly from 9.4 to 5.5 events per hour.
Conclusion
Using mouth tape can help reduce snoring and the severity of sleep apnea in people with mild OSA. It may be a useful alternative to more common treatments like CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, especially for those who have trouble sticking with CPAP.
Practical Implications
Mouth tape could be an easy first step for managing mild OSA before considering more intensive treatments. It's simple to use and can lead to significant improvements in breathing and sleep quality.
For more detailed information, you can read the full study here.