Effects of Myofunctional Therapy With an Application in Severe Apnea/Hypopnea Sleep Obstructive Syndrome (MTASSAOS)

• Background and study aims: Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder. It causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, the most common of which is obstructive sleep apnea. This type of apnea occurs when an individual\'s throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep. The classic treatment for this disease is based on weight loss, and exercise, and the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Myofunctional therapy (MT) is one of the newest treatments for sleep-disordered breathing. MT is based on daily exercises of the throat muscles in an attempt to strengthen them and facilitate opening of the airway. Who can participate? Patients diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and aged between 18-75 years. What does the study involve? Participants will be randomly allocated to either use of the \"AirwayGym\" smartphone app or no treatment for 3 months. The AirwayGym app provides instructions on how to perform exercises to strengthen the throat muscles and reminds participants to perform the exercises for 20 min per day. Participants will be assessed monthly at the clinic. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Benefits: Curing sleep apnea syndrome. There are no significant risks for participants. Where is the study run from? Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella (Spain) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? October 2018 to January 2021 Who is funding the study? Investigator initiated and funded Who is the main contact? Dr. Carlos O\'Connor Reina, coconnor@us.es