Comparison between two nasal rehabilitation methods in children with persisting sleep apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Mounah Thoen, DMD 1,聽Dr. Julia Cohen-Levy
Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most prevalent sleeping disorders in children. The most prevalent treatment is the adenotonsillectomy; however, obstructive sleep apnea persists in 20 to 40% of cases. In this study, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of two rehabilitation methods on children with persistent sleep apnea. The study is conducted on children between the ages of 6 and 14, without craniofacial or neuromuscular syndromes, awaiting adenotonsillectomy. First, we will assess the children鈥檚 presence of obstructive sleep apnea through questionnaires, myofunctional assessment, and a sleep recording. Then, the children who present obstructive sleep apnea will be randomized into two test groups. In the first group, participants are assigned nasal hygiene and breathing exercises. In the second group, participants are given a flexible oral appliance to be worn two hours per day and at night while sleeping. Two to three months after the children have been randomized, they will undergo the same questionnaires and sleep recording as before the randomization, to evaluate the evolution of the sleep apnea. Then, three to six months after the adenotonsillectomy, we will reevaluate the presence of obstructive sleep apnea through the same initial questionnaires, myofunctional assessment, and sleep recording.