The polysomnographic efficacy of a novel tongue-stabilizing device (TSD) in the treatment
of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was evaluated in this pilot study.
Six current users of the TSD with SDB underwent polysomnography with and without the
TSD in situ in a randomized crossover design. The TSD significantly lowered the frequency
of snores per hour slept (61- to 70-dB range) (no TSD: mean = 41/h slept ± 52 SD;
TSD: 8/h slept ± 16 SD; P = 0.046) but did not alter snoring in the other decibel
ranges (all Ps > 0.1). Trends were found for reductions in the frequency of apneas
plus hypopneas (no TSD: 26/h slept ± 17/h slept; TSD: 15/h slept ± 13; P = 0.06) and
oxygen desaturations of 4% or more (no TSD: 10/h slept ± 10; TSD: 5/h slept ± 5; P
= 0.09). Significant improvements in microarousal frequency with the TSD were found
(no TSD: 34/h slept ± 16; TSD: 22/h slept ± 14; P = 0.004). Significant reductions
in percentage of Stage 1 sleep with the TSD were also demonstrated (no TSD: 10 ± 3%;
TSD: 8 ± 2%; P = 0.03). The results of this small pilot study indicate that the TSD
may be effective in reducing snoring severity and microarousals, with favorable trends
for reducing SDB severity in selected individuals. Additional larger prospective studies
are required to identify suitable candidates for TSD use in the treatment of snoring
and SDB.
Oral appliances - tongue retainers - sleep-disordered breathing - snoring
