%0 Journal Article
%T Singing Exercises Improve Sleepiness and Frequency of Snoring among Snorers¡ªA Randomised  Controlled Trial
%A M. P. Hilton
%A J. O. Savage
%A B. Hunter
%A S. McDonald
%A C. Repanos
%A R. Powell
%J International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery
%P 97-102
%@ 2168-5460
%D 2013
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ijohns.2013.23023
%X <p class=\"MsoNormal\">
	<b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Objectives</span></b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">To assess the effectiveness of regular singing exercises in reducing
symptoms of snoring and sleep apnoea.</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Methods</span></b><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">A prospective single blinded randomised controlled trial was
conducted in the otolaryngology department of a UK teaching hospital (Exeter).
127 adult patients with a history of simple snoring or sleep apnoea were
recruited. 93 patients completed the study. Patients were excluded because of
severe sleep apnoea (apnoea index &gt;</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">40), or morbid obesity (BMI &gt;</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">40). The
study group completed a self-guided treatment programme of singing exercises contained
on a 3CD box set, performed for 20 minutes daily. Outcome measures included the
Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the SF-36 generic quality of life assessment tool,
visual analogue scales (VAS range 0</span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">10) of snoring loudness and frequency, and
visual analogue scale of compliance (for intervention group). </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Results</span></b></span><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">:</span></b><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">The
Epworth scale improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the
control group (difference -</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">2.5 units; 95% CI -3.8 to -</span></span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">1</span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">.1; p</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">=</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">0.000).
Fre</span><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">quency of snoring reduced significantly in the experimental group
(difference -1.5; 95% CI -2.6 to -0.4; p</span><span lang=\"EN-US\"> </span><span
%K Snoring
%K Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
%K Upper Airway Resistance
%K Pharyngeal Exercises
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=31850