Wind Instruments May Reduce Risk of Sleep Apnea
Wind Instruments May Reduce Risk of Sleep Apnea – According to anew study, playing a wind instrument can be beneficial for those who are at risk for sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where patients experience interrupted breathing, accompanied by loud snoring. The disorder can be potentially deadly.
For the study, researchers in India tested lung function in 64 participants who played a wind instrument and compared the results to 65 others who did not play a wind instrument. Prior to the test, all participants completed the standard Berlin questionnaire used for assessing risk of sleep apnea.
Researchers found no difference in lung function but did find a lowered risk for developing sleep apnea in those who played a wind instrument. They attribute the finding to increased muscle tone in the upper airways, which wind instrument players are likely to develop.
According to one of the study authors, Silas Daniel Raj, if the finds are confirmed in larger studies, wind instruments can offer a cheap and non-invasive treatment option for those at risk of developing sleep apnea.
The study was presented April 17, at the Sleep and Breathing Conference 2015.
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