RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Efficacy of the “tennis ball technique” in patients with positional obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p2217
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 G.E. de Vries
A1 P.M. Meijer
A1 J.H. van der Hoeven
A1 R.A. Feijen
A1 B. Stegenga
A1 P.J. Wijkstra
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p2217.abstract
AB Introduction: In obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) collapsibility of the upper airway is increased in the supine sleeping position, resulting in an increase of apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) and severity of apnoeic events.Aim: To assess whether the “tennis ball technique” (TBT) prevents positional OSAS-patients from lying on their back and whether this therapy is effective in reducing AHI, severity of events and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).Methods: Thirty three patients with positional OSA at baseline (14 mild, 17 moderate, 2 severe) were treated with TBT. After at least 4 weeks a second sleep study under treatment was performed to assess differences between baseline and follow-up percentage in supine position, AHI, minimal oxygen saturation and EDS. Treatment was considered successful when AHI reduced < 5/hour or reduced at least 50%.Results: Supine sleeping position reduced from a median (IQR) of 33.2 (23.6-43.7)% to 6.6 (0.0-13.4)%, p<.001. AHI decreased from a median (IQR) of 15.4 (12.1-19.9)/hour to 6.0 (3.4-10.0)/hour, p<.001. Minimal saturation improved from a median (IQR) of 86.0 (83.3-87.8)% to 87.0 (84.3-89.0)%, p=.047. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale decreased from a mean (SD) of 11.2 (5.3) to 9.2 (5.3), p=.002. TBT treatment was successful in 23 of the 33 patients.Conclusion: TBT is effective in reducing time spent in supine sleeping position and in reducing AHI and EDS, at least on the short-term.