Medicine
The effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on heart rate and physiological parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial
By Ramazanoglu E, Mete Cavus F, Endamli DB and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased sympathetic activity and an elevated cardiovascular risk. Noninvasive interventions targeting autonomic regulation may offer complementary therapeutic strategies.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the acute effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on the physiological parameters of patients with OSA. Patients with polysomnography-confirmed moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/hour) were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received a standardized 16-minute multiregional fascial mobilization protocol or a control group that rested quietly in the supine position for the corresponding period without receiving manual or tactile intervention. The intervention targeted the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, under controlled conditions. The primary outcomes included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation. Measurements were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 5 and 15 minutes post-intervention.