Daytime Neuromuscular Electrical Therapy of Tongue Muscles in Improving Snoring in Individuals with Primary Snoring and Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Prospective single-arm before-and-after study without a control group.
PubMed 33925376 · doi:10.3390/jcm10091883
What was done
Researchers conducted a multicenter prospective study evaluating daytime neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) using the eXciteOSA device on tongue muscles in patients with primary snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A total of 125 participants used the device for 20 minutes once daily for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was change in objective percentage time spent snoring assessed via two-night sleep studies before and after the 6-week intervention. Secondary outcomes included patient Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, patient and bed partner Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, and bed partner-reported snoring severity via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
What was found
Of 125 recruited patients, 115 completed the trial. Ninety percent of participants had a reduction in objective snoring, with a mean reduction in snoring time of 41% across the cohort (p < 0.001). Bed partner-reported snoring VAS scores decreased by 39% (p < 0.001). Statistically significant reductions were also observed in patient ESS scores (p < 0.001), patient PSQI scores (p < 0.001), and bed partner PSQI scores (p = 0.017). No serious adverse events occurred.
Why it matters
This study shows that a daytime, non-invasive oral neuromuscular stimulation device can reduce snoring duration and improve sleep metrics without requiring patients to wear an apparatus during sleep.
Limits
The study was uncontrolled and unblinded, meaning placebo effects and regression to the mean cannot be ruled out. Follow-up was limited to 6 weeks, leaving long-term adherence and effect maintenance unknown. Ten participants (8%) did not complete the trial.
Cited by
- supports Daytime intraoral neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the tongue (such as eXciteOSA) improves upper airway muscle tone during sleep to reduce mild obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.