The Effect Of Behavioral Therapy Program On Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome

Objects: The study investigated the effect of a behavioral therapy program on patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Method: Forty-eight obese patients (body mass index, BMI＞28) with moderate to severe OSAHS were assigned into intervention group (n=24) or control group (n=24). The control group was given a general behavioral instruction according to hospital convention. The intervention group was given 16-week behavioral therapy. The content of the behavioral therapy consists of risk factors identifying, importance of life changing instructing, instruction manual of behavioral therapy studying, sleep posture vest changing, daily life self-records and telephone follow-up. The outcome measurements included polysomnographic index, physiological index, daytime somnolence (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and quality of life (Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index).Results: Four patients of control group and 2 of intevention group were dropped off when the program finished. Finally forty-two patients (87.5%) finished the whole thrapy. After 16-week intervention, there was no significant difference in AHI and LSAT between groups. The weight, BMI index, neck collar and abdomen circumference of intervention group decreased a lot, but there was not significant difference of these indexes by interclass except BMI (t=-2.169, P=-0.036). 9 subjective symptoms, such as snoring, improved signicantly, ESS score, the dimensions of social interactions, symptom and the total score of the QOL improved significantly (t=-3.466, P=0.002; Z=-3.297, P=0.001 ; t=-2.815, P=0.009; t=-3.068, P=-0.004) for intervention group compared with control group. The compliance of behavioral therapy of intervention group was significantly higher when compared 16-week intervention (81.8%) with 4-week (36.4%).Conclusion: It was proved that the compliance of behavioral therapy was fine. Behavioral therapy can significantly improved BMI, subjective symptoms and the quality of life except the dimention of daily life activities and emotional funtion. The effect for polysomnographic index and other physiological index still need to be improved by expanding the samples' quantity and extending the time of intervention.