Respiratory muscle training for obstructive sleep apnea: an umbrella review of adjunctive and stand-alone therapies
This umbrella review evaluates respiratory muscle training as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), aiming to address poor adherence to conventional therapies and improve symptoms. Articles from PubMed, Cochrane, and ASHA were analyzed using AMSTAR 2, with qualitative synthesis and meta-analyses conducted.
Out of 247 identified studies, 4 were included, involving 1468 adults and 106 children. Results showed that oromyofunctional therapy (OMF) and expiratory muscle training (EMT) significantly reduced the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). All three approaches (OMF, inspiratory muscle training—IMT, and EMT) reduced daytime sleepiness. Additionally, IMT, EMT, or their combination improved sleep quality.
Overall, respiratory muscle training appears beneficial for reducing respiratory events and improving clinical symptoms in OSA. However, the level of evidence remains low despite generally good methodological quality
