Effects of respiratory rehabilitation program on antropometric measures, exercise capacity, pulmonary parameters and sleep-life quality in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by recurrent airway obstructions in sleep which mechanical, metabolic and central factors are blamed in etiology. Respiratory rehabilitation is defined as exercise training combined with psychosocial training to optimize daily functions and to improve health related quality of life of people with disabilities and deficiencies due to chronic respiratory disease. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of respiratory rehabilitation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome by assessing effects of 8-week regular respiratory rehabilitation program on anthropometric measures, exercise capacity, respiratory parameters, and sleep-health quality. Our study included 40 mild-moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome patients evaluated in Sleep Disorders Center of Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Chest Diseases Department. Patients apnea-hypopnea indexes were between 5-30 and their ages were between 18-65 years. Before and after rehabilitation program, physical examinations of the patients were performed by the same physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Patients were informed about the disease, general precautions, and treatment program. Patients were asked to perform trained methods such as controlled breathing technique (pursed lips breathing, bending forward posture, diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation exercises) and respiratory muscle exercises for 10-20 minutes twice daily. Resistance aerobic exercise applied by bicycle ergometry device and upper extremity-shoulder girdle muscles exercises were performed in our clinic for 50-60 minutes three times a week. Antropometric measures included neck-waist-chest circumference; respiratory parameters included Respiratory Function Test and Maximum İnspiratory-Expiratory Pressure Measurements; exercise capacity included 6 Minutes Walking Test; daytime sleepiness level included Epworth Sleepiness Scale; sleep and life quality included Turkish Version of Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire and Short Form-36 scale; and anxiety measurement included State and Trait Anxiety Scale were used. After the treatment neck circumference, daytime sleepiness level, heart rate and blood pressure responses during rest and after exercise, levels of dyspnea and leg fatigue decreasing; exercise capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure level, and sleep-life quality increasing was established. We suggest Respiratory Rehabilitation Program is a treatment option that may have effects on clinical findings of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome patients. Keywords: OSAS, Respiratory Rehabilitation, Exercise