Actively Recruiting
Oropharyngeal Exercises to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Led by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · Updated on 2026-04-24
45
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
204 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this study is to determine whether a randomized controlled trial using oropharyngeal exercises to treat sleep apnea is feasible. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it is poorly tolerated by many patients. Oropharyngeal exercises (OPEs) which are commonly used by speech-language pathologists to improve oro-motor strength, may serve as a promising alternative approach. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Is it feasible to use an oropharyngeal exercise protocol in patients with sleep apnea? * Will oropharyngeal exercises improve sleep apnea severity, daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, mood, workplace performance, and quality of life Participants will be randomized into a supervised OPE intervention arm vs. unsupervised OPE intervention arm vs. sham treatment for a 10-week/5-day per week/two 20-minute session exercise protocol. The exercises will be administered via an app and the investigators will assess feasibility, as well as several sleep-related and oro-motor physiological outcomes before treatment, immediately post-treatment, and 4 weeks post-treatment. The investigators will use the results of this feasibility trial to inform the sample size needed for a larger clinical trial that will determine the efficacy of using oropharyngeal exercises to treat OSA.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Oropharyngeal Exercises to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index 10/hr) with more than 50% obstructive respiratory events
- Patients unwilling to use CPAP or unable to tolerate CPAP after a 2-week trial
- Patients not currently using equipment-based treatments or surgery for OSA
You will not qualify if you...
- Planned airway surgery or use of equipment-based OSA treatments during the study
- Central respiratory events make up 50% or more of apnea-hypopnea index
- Reduced cognition (MoCA score less than 18)
- Significant neurological conditions affecting oropharyngeal activity
- Use of medications affecting upper airway tone (e.g., hypnotics, opiates) at least 3 nights per week in the 4 weeks before randomization
- Use of medical devices interfering with home sleep apnea test
- Plans to move to another city during the study affecting compliance
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N3M5
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mark Boulos, MD, MSc
CONTACT
S
Sarah Berger, MSc
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here