This pilot study aimed to evaluate the association between CCMC musculoskeletal function and the severity of OSA, hypothesizing that impaired motor functions within the CCMC contribute to OSA etiology.
A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted with 32 patients exhibiting OSA symptoms. Participants underwent assessments of CCMC musculoskeletal functions and an ambulatory sleep study to determine OSA severity. Correlations between CCMC parameters and OSA severity were analyzed using Spearman's tests.
Significant negative correlations were found between cervical range of motion (ROM) (flexion, left rotation, left/right side flexion) and OSA severity.The strongest correlation was found for cervical movement in the frontal plane (r = -0.607, p 0.001), espcially among females (r=-0.772, p 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was observed between mouth-opening muscle endurance and OSA severity in male participants. In contrast, a high negative correlation existed between the endurance ratio of mouth openers to closers and OSA severity.
The findings suggest a potential relationship between CCMC function and OSA severity, highlighting the possibility that specific CCMC-tailored physiotherapy intervention could be a novel, non-invasive management strategy for OSA patients.
The study indicates a potential association between cervico-cranio-mandibular complex (CCMC) function and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), suggesting that assessing and addressing CCMC dysfunction could enhance OSA management. Significant correlations were found between cervical range of motion, OSA severity, and muscle endurance differences in male patients. These findings imply that targeted physiotherapy interventions may offer a novel, non-invasive treatment approach for OSA, pointing to the need for further research to validate these relationships and improve patient outcomes through a multidisciplinary approach.
cervical spine
tmj
