Effect of tele-yoga on aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and cognitive performance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

• Published in: Heart & lung Vol. 62; pp. 157 - 167
• Main Authors: Eyuboglu, Filiz, Inal-Ince, Deniz, Karamancioglu, Berna, Vardar-Yagli, Naciye, Kaya-Utlu, Defne, Dalkilic, Orhan, Somay, Goksel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Aerobic capacity; Neurocognitive performance; Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS); Respiratory muscle strength; Yoga; Respiratory muscle strength; Aerobic capacity; Yoga; Neurocognitive performance; Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.07.005
• ISSN: 0147-9563

•Tele-yoga sessions performed three days a week for 12 weeks improved heart rate parameters and inspiratory respiratory muscle strength of OSAS patients.•Tele-yoga sessions improved neurocognitive performance, sleep duration (min), sleep efficiency, sleep quality and decreased daytime sleepiness of OSAS patients.•This study supported that tele-yoga intervention, which is feasible, easily accessible, non-invasive, and allows group sessions, can be included in exercise training programs in addition to CPAP treatments of OSAS patients in the clinic. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) causes a decrease in aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and cognitive function, negatively affecting health-related quality of life. This study aimed to compare aerobic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, cognitive performance, functional capacity, sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in OSAS patients practicing and not practicing tele-yoga (TY). 44 OSAS patients (40 M, 4F) were randomized into TY and control groups. TY group underwent live synchronous group-based TY sessions, 60 min/day, three days/week, for 12 weeks. Control group performed unsupervised thoracic expansion exercises at home 4 times daily for 12 weeks. The following were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the 6th and 12th weeks: inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), cardiopulmonary exercise test, Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT) and Stroop TBAG test, six-minute walk test (6MWT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). TY significantly improved MIP, and exercise test parameters (VE, HRmax,%HR, heart rate recovery in the first minute and RQmax), CBTT (forward) and Stroop TBAG test scores (parts of 3,4,5) compared to the controls (p<0.05). There were no significant changes 6MWT in the TY group compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Sleep duration (min), sleep efficiency, sleep quality of PSQI and ESS score improved significantly in the TY group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). We suggest including TY intervention as a method of exercise in addition to CPAP treatments since it improves the health-related parameters of OSAS patients.