OSA and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, Diagnosis and Therapy, Concept and Limitations
摘要
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition with far-reaching implications for both health and overall quality of life. Myofunctional therapy (MT) provides a focused, noninvasive strategy for addressing core phenotypes of OSA through the enhancement of orofacial muscle tone, reeducation of tongue posture, and encouragement of nasal breathing. Clinical evidence underscores its efficacy in minimizing airway collapsibility and promoting stable breathing patterns, which reduces the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) in both pediatric and adult populations with mild-to-moderate OSA. Although MT proves highly effective as a complementary treatment alongside continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or surgical interventions, its success hinges on patient adherence, individual variability in therapeutic outcomes, and its limited utility in cases of severe anatomical obstruction. Properly identifying suitable candidates for MT is essential to maximizing its impact as part of a multidisciplinary OSA treatment plan.