Improved cognitive functions after treatment with an oral appliance in obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral appliance (OA) treatment on cognitive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Materials and methods

In a prospective study, 50 male patients with verified moderate-to-severe OSA received an OA with mandibular advancement. The cognitive functions assessed included working memory, vigilance, executive functioning, and mental pace, measured before as well as after 6 months of treatment. Somnography was used to measure physiological treatment effects. Forty-three patients completed the 6-month follow-up study.

Results

All domains of cognitive functioning measured improved after 6 months of treatment with an OA (P <; 0.001). The apnea/hypopnea- and oxygen desaturation-indices decreased significantly after treatment (P <; 0.01). An obvious treatment response was reached in 60% of the patients, and 54% of the patients had recovered ie, had normalized breathing during sleep.

Conclusion

OA with mandibular advancement is a treatment modality for the physiological symptoms of OSA, and may have a positive impact on cognitive functions, after only 6 months of treatment.

Keywords:

• clinical trial
• cognition
• oral appliance
• sleep apnea
• treatment

Acknowledgments

The project was financially supported by grants from the County of Västmanland, Sweden.

The authors wish to thank Dr Olle Vestling for performing a great part of the treatment with the oral appliances, research assistant Per Hagström for performing the executive functioning tests, and Petra Wahlén for assistance with the statistical analysis.

Disclosure

None of the authors have declared any conflict of interest.