Effect of an educational program with exercise on CPAP adherence in patients with obstructive sleep apnea - a case study
Abstract
Background: In the Czech Republic, about 70 % of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) show long-term adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Important means for maintaining or improving the percentage are additional and repeated education and motivation including exercise training.
At present, these are not commonly used in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the main aim of the pilot study was to assess the effect of education with exercise training on CPAP adherence in patients with OSA.
Patients and Methods: Six patients with OSA were included in the study. They were divided into two groups; three patients underwent a 4-week educational/motivational program with exercise training led by a physiothe-rapist while the other three patients were only educated, with no additional intervention.
Data on adherence to CPAP therapy were obtained from the AirView system recording the activity of a device used. Results and Conclusion: The results indicate a positive impact of the educational/motivational program with exercise on OSA patients' adherence to CPAP therapy.
Additional and repeated education and motivation with exercise could become a new role of physiotherapists in multidisciplinary OSA management.