Effect of Positional therapy on Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Positional therapy is a therapeutic method for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, little is known about the effectiveness of positional OSA treatment based on meta-analysis. Therefore, we undertook a review and meta-analysis of studies to assess the effect of positional therapy on OSA. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We searched PubMed (Medline), OVID Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, KoreaMed, MedRIC, and KSI KISS using the key words “obstructive sleep apnea” and “positional therapy”. To estimate the effect of positional OSA therapy, we analyzed the ratio of means (ROM) for pre- and post-treatment polysomnographic data including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, arousal index, and sleep efficiency. RESULTS: Finally, twenty two studies from 21 papers were included in the meta-analysis. Positional therapy significantly decreased AHI by 54.1% [ROM, 0.459; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.394 to 0.534] and increased lowest oxygen saturation by 3.3% (ROM, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.020 to 1.046). However, positional therapy did not significantly change arousal index (ROM, 0.846; 95% CI, 0.662 to 1.081) or sleep efficiency (ROM, 1.008; 95% CI, 0.990 to 1.027). CONCLUSION: Positional therapy significantly improves respiratory parameters including AHI and lowest oxygen saturation in patients with OSA.

Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is an important public health problem and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Therefore, treatment of this condition is of paramount importance. The treatment of OSA includes general and behavioural measures, mechanical measures including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and Oral Appliances (OA), pharmacological treatment and surgical procedures. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment reverses the repetitive upper airway obstruction of sleep apnea and associated daytime sleepiness and is the most effective treatment for OSA. However maintaining patient adherence to CPAP therapy is a challenge. Weight loss should be recommended to overweight patients with OSA, as it has been shown that weight reduction has additional health benefits. Treatment of underlying medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or acromegaly has profound effect on apnea/hypopnea index. A subset of patients with OSA may benefit from supplemental oxygen and positional therapy. Presently, there are no effective pharmacotherapeutic agents for treatment of patients with OSA and the role of surgical treatment in OSA is controversial. However, pharmacological treatment of persisting residual sleepiness, despite adequate positive airway pressure therapy delivery and adherence, is indicated and may improve daytime sleepiness.