Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a negative impact on cerebral structure and function, including alterations in cognitive domains and gait control. In a recent non-randomized controlled study, severe OSA was associated with a higher stride time variability (STV), and 8 weeks of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improved gait control. The present randomized controlled study investigated the impact of an 8-week CPAP treatment on gait control in severe OSA patients compared to sham-CPAP. 24 OSA patients (median [interquartile range] age=59.3 [46.0;66.7] years, BMI=28.3 [24.7;29.7] kg.m-2, AHI=49.1 [33.8;60.5] events/h, Epworth sleepiness scale=12 [10;14]) were included. Gait parameters were recorded under single and dual task conditions using a visuo-verbal cognitive task (Stroop test). Analyses were performed in intent-to-treat, using a mixed linear regression analysis. 21 subjects completed all the evaluations (3 subjects in the effective CPAP group dropped-out). There was no significant difference in terms of gait control between the two groups at baseline. CPAP elicited no significant improvement in gait control evaluated by STV both under single (β=0.37, SE=0.33; p=0.28) and dual-task (β=0.53, SE=0.43; p=0.24). Cognitive dual-task performance wasn’t improved by CPAP treatment (β=4.21, SE=5.62; p=0.46). Eight weeks of CPAP treatment do not improve gait control of severe non-obese OSA patients nor cognitive performance under dual-task. This negative result substantiates the complexity of the relationship between OSA and neurocognition.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA1997.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019