"please keep me updated about oximeters "
Sleep Apnea Forum Bringing Power to the Patient
New? Free Sign Up
Then check our Welcome Center to a Community Caring about Sleep Apnea diagnosis and Sleep Apnea treatment:
CPAP machines, Sleep Apnea surgery and dental appliances.
CPAP Supplies
Latest Activity
Tongue Exercises for Sleep Apnea?
Brazilian researchers reported that a series of throat exercises, along with breathing exercises and nasal saline irrigation, could improve signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Volunteers with obstructive sleep apnea were given exercises which were similar to those used traditionally for speech therapy. This randomized study showed that the overall AHI dropped 39% in the study group after 3 months. Daytime sleepiness, snoring, sleep quality and neck size were all significant improved. The sham control group underwent breathing exercises and nasal irrigation only, and there were no significant changes.
These are interesting results which are in line with with my limited past experience using tongue exercises—some people do improve. I started a research project may years ago with Janet Bennet, a speech pathologist who's the inventor of IJustWantToSleep.com, but had to cancel the study to to various logistical issues with follow-up and compliance. However, there definitely were a significant number of patients that did benefit subjectively to various degrees.
There are other reports of using singing lessons or playing the didgeridoo to strengthen tongue and throat muscles. I don't think these can replace standard ways of treating obstructive sleep apnea, but if a patient is motivated and is looking for alternative options, then I'll recommend this.
These are interesting results which are in line with with my limited past experience using tongue exercises—some people do improve. I started a research project may years ago with Janet Bennet, a speech pathologist who's the inventor of IJustWantToSleep.com, but had to cancel the study to to various logistical issues with follow-up and compliance. However, there definitely were a significant number of patients that did benefit subjectively to various degrees.
There are other reports of using singing lessons or playing the didgeridoo to strengthen tongue and throat muscles. I don't think these can replace standard ways of treating obstructive sleep apnea, but if a patient is motivated and is looking for alternative options, then I'll recommend this.
Views: 294
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Mike on
-
so fascinating that tongue exercises can bring about a 39% drop in AHI. I hear that some surgeries for sleep apnea are considered a success if they reduce AHI by the same amount.
-
Permalink Reply by Daniel on
-
If we lose muscle tone completely when we sleep, why would strengthening muscles make any difference? The only thing I can think of is that the excercises may reduce the amount of floppy, saggy, fatty tissue in the upper airway. If an obese person with a neck greater than 17" loses a lot of weight, would you also see a similar drop in AHI?
-
Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on
-
Daniel said:If we lose muscle tone completely when we sleep, why would strengthening muscles make any difference? The only thing I can think of is that the excercises may reduce the amount of floppy, saggy, fatty tissue in the upper airway. If an obese person with a neck greater than 17" loses a lot of weight, would you also see a similar drop in AHI?
I agree. Explanations for these exercises have always puzzled me. I was thinking that with this study that breathing exercises and nasal saline could in theory improve subjective and objective results, but this was controlled for in the other arm of the study. There definitely seems to be some direct or indirect effect of these exercises, but not enough to claim that it "cures" sleep apnea.
-
Permalink Reply by alex on
-
what exactly are these exercises? i have tried searching online and cant find any indication of how to do these exercises. whats more how would i go about finding a respiratory specialist or someone of the sort in my area.
thank for any help you can provide
-
-
I saw a video of tongue and throat exercises on sleepapnea.org. I'm going to try them and see if it helps.
alex said:what exactly are these exercises? i have tried searching online and cant find any indication of how to do these exercises. whats more how would i go about finding a respiratory specialist or someone of the sort in my area.
thank for any help you can provide
© 2025 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
Powered by
