Effects of a balloon inflation exercise program on sleep apnea severity and respiratory muscle strength in school-aged children with obstructive sleep apnea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v83.119612Keywords:
balloon-blowing exercise, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory muscle strength, school-age childrenAbstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder in children that can negatively affect physical health, cognitive function, and quality of life. Respiratory muscle training has been proposed as a non-invasive intervention to improve airway function and reduce OSA symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a balloon-blowing exercise program on sleep apnea severity and respiratory muscle strength in school-age children with OSA.
Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 30 school-age children diagnosed with OSA. Participants were randomly assigned to either a balloon-blowing exercise group (BBG; n = 15) or a control group (CG; n = 15). Children in the BBG performed a structured balloon-blowing exercise program for five weeks, while those in the CG received routine care. Sleep apnea severity was assessed using a sleep apnea severity scale, and respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests.
Results: Children who participated in the balloon-blowing exercise program demonstrated a significant reduction in sleep apnea severity compared with baseline values and with those in the control group (t = -2.45, p < .05). Respiratory muscle strength improved significantly following the intervention, with a greater increase observed in the BBG than in the CG (t = 3.46, p < .05). Although MEP showed significant improvement, no significant between-group difference was found for MIP.
Conclusions: The balloon-blowing exercise program effectively reduced sleep apnea severity and enhanced respiratory muscle strength in school-age children with OSA. These findings support the use of balloon-blowing exercises as a simple, low-cost, and non-invasive intervention for managing pediatric OSA and improving respiratory function.
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