Effect of a 1-week intense myofunctional training on obstructive sleep apnoea in children with Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Genetics and Inherited Diseases
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is prevalent and challenging to treat in children with Down syndrome (DS).
• Muscular hypotonia of the upper airway, common in DS, is a potential cause of OSA.
• This study investigates myofunctional therapy as a potential treatment for pediatric OSA in DS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an intensive myofunctional therapy program in improving OSA in children with Down syndrome.
• To assess changes in key sleep apnea indices following a 1-week myofunctional training camp.

Main Methods:

• Forty-two children with Down syndrome underwent cardiorespiratory sleep studies before and after a 1-week intensive myofunctional therapy program.
• The therapy involved three daily 45-minute sessions of Padovan myofunctional exercises.
• Primary outcome was the mixed-obstructive-apnoea/hypopnoea index (MOAHI); secondary outcomes included desaturation indices and lowest oxygen saturation.

Main Results:

• Eighteen children completed the study with sufficient data for analysis.
• No significant changes were observed in MOAHI, the ≤3% oxygen desaturation index (DI3), or the lowest pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2nadir).
• A significant decrease was noted only in the ≤90% desaturation index (DI90) from 2.7 to 2.1.

Conclusions:

• A 1-week intensive myofunctional training camp demonstrated only a marginal effect on obstructive sleep apnoea in children with Down syndrome.
• The findings suggest that shorter interventions may not be sufficient to significantly impact OSA in this population.
• Further investigation into longer-duration interventions and follow-up periods is warranted to determine potential long-term benefits.