Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial - PMC
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BMJ<br>. 2006 Feb 4;332(7536):266–270. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38705.470590.55
Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial
Milo A Puhan<br>Milo A Puhan
1 Horten Centre, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
research fellow
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1, Alex Suarez<br>Alex Suarez
2 Asate Alex Suarez, 9630 Wattwil, Switzerland
didgeridoo instructor
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2, Christian Lo Cascio<br>Christian Lo Cascio
3 Zuercher Hoehenklinik Wald, CH-8639 Faltigberg-Wald, Switzerland
resident in internal medicine
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3, Alfred Zahn<br>Alfred Zahn
3 Zuercher Hoehenklinik Wald, CH-8639 Faltigberg-Wald, Switzerland
sleep laboratory technician
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3, Markus Heitz<br>Markus Heitz
4 Lungenpraxis Morgental, Zurich, Switzerland
specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine
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4, Otto Braendli<br>Otto Braendli
3 Zuercher Hoehenklinik Wald, CH-8639 Faltigberg-Wald, Switzerland
specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine
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Author information
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1 Horten Centre, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
2 Asate Alex Suarez, 9630 Wattwil, Switzerland
3 Zuercher Hoehenklinik Wald, CH-8639 Faltigberg-Wald, Switzerland
4 Lungenpraxis Morgental, Zurich, Switzerland
Correspondence to: O Braendli otto.braendli@zhw.ch
Roles
Milo A Puhan : research fellow
Alex Suarez : didgeridoo instructor
Christian Lo Cascio : resident in internal medicine
Alfred Zahn : sleep laboratory technician
Markus Heitz : specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine
Otto Braendli : specialist in respiratory and sleep medicine
Accepted 2005 Nov 24.
Copyright © 2006, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
PMC Copyright notice
PMCID: PMC1360393 PMID: 16377643
Abstract
Objective To assess the effects of didgeridoo playing on daytime sleepiness and other outcomes related to sleep by reducing collapsibility of the upper airways in patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and snoring.
Design Randomised controlled trial.
Setting Private practice of a didgeridoo instructor and a single centre for sleep medicine.
Participants 25 patients aged > 18 years with an apnoea-hypopnoea index between 15 and 30 and who complained about snoring.
Interventions Didgeridoo lessons and daily practice at home with standardised instruments for four months. Participants in the control group remained on the waiting list for lessons.
Main outcome measure Daytime sleepiness (Epworth scale from 0 (no daytime sleepiness) to 24), sleep quality (Pittsburgh quality of sleep index from 0 (excellent sleep quality) to 21), partner rating of sleep disturbance (visual analogue scale from 0 (not disturbed) to 10), apnoea-hypopnoea index, and health related quality of life (SF-36).
Results Participants in the didgeridoo group practised an average of 5.9 days a week (SD 0.86) for 25.3 minutes (SD 3.4). Compared with the control group in the didgeridoo group daytime sleepiness (difference -3.0, 95% confidence interval -5.7 to -0.3, P = 0.03) and apnoea-hypopnoea index (difference -6.2, -12.3 to -0.1, P = 0.05) improved significantly and partners reported less sleep disturbance (difference -2.8, -4.7 to -0.9, P Conclusion Regular didgeridoo playing is an effective treatment alternative well accepted by patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.
Trial registration ISRCTN: 31571714.
Introduction
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome are two highly prevalent sleep disorders caused by collapse of the upper airways.1,2,3 The most effective intervention for these disorders is continuous positive airway pressure therapy, which reduces daytime sleepiness4 and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the most severely affected patients (apnoea-hypopnoea index (measured as episodes per hour) > 30).5 For moderately affected patients (apnoea-hypopnoea index 15-30) who complain about snoring and daytime sleepiness, however, continuous positive airway pressure therapy may not be suitable and other effective interventions are...