Rehabilitation in obstructive sleep apnea: an ignored treatment adjunct

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remain physically inactive during the day, are deconditioned, and have an impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The role of rehabilitation is not yet defined in OSA, despite proven effective modalities for chronic illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this prospective study, over a period of one year, 30 individuals with sleep-disordered breathing were included. Before recruitment, every patient was receiving continuous positive airway pressure treatment for at least 4 weeks. A statistically significant negative correlation was seen between the apnea hypopnea index and reductions in 6-minute walk distance, energy, and general health, which signified that patients with greater levels of daytime sleepiness have poor quality of life and are more deconditioned. Enrolled patients in the study underwent a 20-session rehabilitation program (with a minimum of 2 sessions per week). The patient received resistance and endurance exercises, dietary guidance, and counseling at each session. Before and after rehabilitation, target parameters such as 6MWD, HRQoL domains, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. All 8 HRQoL domains showed improvement post-rehabilitation. Along with improvements in ESS and BMI, the 6MWD was also improved. No adverse event such as cardio-respiratory distress occurred in individuals undergoing rehabilitation. To conclude, rehabilitation is a safe and efficacious modality as an adjunct to positive airway pressure therapy in OSA patients.