[The effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation during sleep on obstructive sleep apnea].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation during sleep on obstructive sleep apnea syndrom (OSAS).


METHODS
Sixteen patients with OSAS were studied by polysomnography during all-night sleep with and without submental transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) of the genioglossus.


RESULTS
Fourteen of the 16 patients (87%) who accepted the TES were treated successfully (reduction of Al > 50%). The average apnea index showed a decrease of 29 events per hour when the TES were performed (P < 0.001). The average apnea time decreased from 22 to 7 sec (P < 0.001). The apnea time/TST decreased from 27% +/- 11% to 7% +/- 3%. The lowest SaO2 increased from 71% to 87% (P < 0.001). TES did not cause arousal. The sleep stages of SWS, and REM sleep effect (SE) increased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
TES is a conservative but effective treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, although it failed to improve central sleep apnea.
Piao
S
S
322th Hospital of PLA, Datong 037006.
He
Y
Y
Yuan
F
F
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012895:Sleep, REM; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation