Telecoaching to Improve Physical Activity in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Improving Physical Activity in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Treated With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are less physically active than healthy controls.

First choice of treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy with an improvement in oxygen saturation and sleep. No improvement on physical activity has been shown.

The current study would randomize patients in a standard care group (CPAP) and an intervention group (CPAP + telecoaching). Telecoaching will be performed for 3 months, with physical activity assessment before, after 3 months and 12 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• AHI > 15 events/hour, measured by polysomnography
• < 7,500 steps per day
• Willing to start CPAP treatment
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Signing the written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with neuromuscular diseases
• Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease
• Patients with cardiac failure and ischemic heart failure
• Patients with comorbidities which could interfere with a normal biomechanical gait pattern and the possibility of increasing physical activity
• Patients with mental disability making it impossible to understand the study protocol and the use of electronic devices.