{
  "abstract": "Introduction Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects an estimated 30% of Singapore’s population. 1 Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMFT) involves targeted tongue and throat exercises to improve muscle responsiveness in the oropharyngeal regions. We aim to evaluate the effects of OMFT on polysomnographic parameters and subjective outcomes in a predominantly Chinese population.Methods 14 symptomatic OSA patients (AHI ≥5) who attended at least one OMFT session and had both pre- and post- intervention sleep studies were studied. During each OMFT session, a set of 3 – 5 OMFT exercises focusing on the tongue, buccinator, lip and oral muscles were prescribed. Patients were then instructed to perform these exercises daily for at least 30 minutes.Baseline demographic, clinical and polysomnographic parameters recorded during pre- and post- OMFT sleep studies, patient reported sleep outcomes including Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ-10) were included in the analysis. OMFT compliance was evaluated using questionnaires during clinic session.Results 11 out of 14 patients were compliant at 1 year. Significant reductions in overall AHI (p = 0.0080) and REM AHI (p = 0.0038) and an increase in nadir SpO2 (p = 0.0113) was observed after OMFT (table 1, figure 1). No significant improvements in patient reported sleep outcomes except Health Status Score which almost reached significance. Sex and weight loss was not correlated with OMFT success.Discussion In a predominantly Chinese cohort, OMFT exercises improved OSA indices and may improve some patient report outcomes. Given the limited sample size, further studies are warranted to validate the efficacy of OMFT as a treatment modality for OSA.Reference Tan A, Cheung YY, Yin J, Lim WY, Tan LW, Lee CH. Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population in Singapore: a community-based study. Respirology 2016;21(5):943–950.Abstract P34 Table 1Abstract P34 Figure 1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Singapore General Hospital, Singapore",
        "SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Peirong Song"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Singapore General Hospital, Singapore",
        "SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Jade JY Tay"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Singapore General Hospital, Singapore",
        "SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Jaclyn YT Teo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Singapore General Hospital, Singapore",
        "SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Desmond MR Chia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Singapore General Hospital, Singapore",
        "SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Leong Chai Leow"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P34 Improvement in polysomnographic parameters and patient-reported sleep outcomes following orofacial myofunctional therapy",
  "uid": "bfdb3246-d091-5fb3-ab45-d4c81127592e"
}