Effects of Electrical Stimulation and Pharyngeal Muscles Training on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Patients with Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To investivate the effects of VocaStim?-Master electrical stimulation and pharyngeal muscles training on sleep breathing parameters, clinical symptoms and cognitive functions in stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods From December 1st, 2014 to November 30th, 2017, 50 stroke patients complicated with OSAS were divided into control group (n = 25) and research group (n = 25). All the patients received routine medicine and rehabilitation, while the research group accepted VocaStim?-Master electrical stimulation and pharyngeal muscles training in addition, for four weeks. Their symptoms were observed, and tested with polysomnography (PSG) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before and after treatment.Results After treatment, the clinical symptoms improved (P < 0.05), while apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (t > 2.270, P < 0.05)and oxygen desaturation index (t > 3.044, P < 0.01) decreased, and average oxygen saturation (SaO2) and lowest SaO2 increased (t > 3.095, P < 0.01), in the research group, compared with those before treatment and those in the control group (P < 0.05), the scores of MMSE increased (t > 2.859, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference of AHI, averge SaO2, lowest SaO2 and oxygen desaturation index during the period of treatment in the control group (P > 0.05), nor for the score of MMSE.Conclusion VocaStim?-Master electrical stimulation combined with pharyngeal muscles training could effectively ameliorate nocturnal sleep apnea symptom and improve cognitive functions in stroke patients complicated with OSAS.