The Efficacy of Intra-oral Neuromuscular Stimulation Training on Snoring in Individuals With Primary Snoring or Mild Sleep Apnoea - A Multi Centre Trial
It has been shown that a common cause for snoring and throat obstruction (obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)) is excessive loss of muscle tone in the throat when the investigators go to sleep. This results in the partial collapse of the throat (snoring) or complete collapse (OSA) during sleep. 45% of the male population snore. Sleep apnoea affects 4 to 6% of the population and is associated with increased incidence of raised blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. Although there are several lifestyle practices associated with snoring such as smoking, obesity and drinking, a significant proportion of people may snore despite not being associated with these. A solution to this issue is to improve the muscle tone of the throat so that it doesn't collapse so easily. Several studies have shown that certain types of throat exercises can help reduce snoring. Further studies have also shown that using electrical stimulation to exercise the tongue muscles has the same effect. From this, doctors in the United Kingdom (UK) have developed a new type of device, eXciteOSA, that allows a more accurate and comfortable way of delivering this energy to exercise the tongue muscles. The device works by stimulating the tongue muscles during the day so that the tongue is less likely to collapse during sleep. It is a form of workout for the tongue and like other physical exercise regimes, it needs to be repeated regularly for a few weeks to take effect. The aim of this study is to see if the eXciteOSA device is as effective as the previous methods and if it can reduce snoring and improve sleep quality. This will be achieved by participants using the eXciteOSA once daily for a six week period. A two night sleep study with watchPAT along with a polysomnography will be completed before and after the therapy to compare results. Questionnaires on sleep quality and quality of life will also be completed pre and post therapy.
• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the trial
• Male or female, aged 18 years or above
• AHI 5-15/hr as confirmed by polysomnography performed for screening purposes
• Snoring complaints for \>6 months
• In possession of a smartphone (to use the application)