title: Improved cognitive functions after treatment with an oral appliance in obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral appliance (OA) treatment on cognitive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 50 male patients with verified moderate-to-severe OSA received an OA with mandibular advancement. The cognitive functions assessed included working memory, vigilance, executive functioning, and mental pace, measured before as well as after 6 months of treatment. Somnography was used to measure physiological treatment effects. Forty-three patients completed the 6-month follow-up study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All domains of cognitive functioning measured improved after 6 months of treatment with an OA (P <; 0.001). The apnea/hypopnea- and oxygen desaturation-indices decreased significantly after treatment (P <; 0.01). An obvious treatment response was reached in 60% of the patients, and 54% of the patients had recovered ie, had normalized breathing during sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OA with mandibular advancement is a treatment modality for the physiological symptoms of OSA, and may have a positive impact on cognitive functions, after only 6 months of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Central Hospital, Västerås, Sweden ; Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Central Hospital, Västerås, Sweden ; Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tegelberg
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilhelmsson
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erixon-Lindroth
authors.forename: Leif H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lindström
keywords: clinical trial; cognition; oral appliance; sleep apnea; treatment