Impact of CPAP treatment for a short period in moderate-to-severe OSAS patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Abstract Introduction Obesity is the most frequent reversible causal factor of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, OSAS, with physical activity very important for its control. CPAP during sleep is the “gold standard” treatment for OSAS. Objective we aimed to investigate if the use of CPAP for a short period (7 days), would improve sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and the disposition for physical activity. Methods Eighty OSAS patients were randomly assigned as follows: group I – CPAP with a steady pressure of 4 cm H2O; group II – ideal therapeutic pressure. After filling out the questionnaires related to the studied variables (PSQI, ESS and IPAQ-L), patients underwent a baseline pulmonary function test and CPAP titration. After CPAP therapy for 4≥ hours a night for 7 consecutive days, patients returned and filled out new IPAQ-L, ESS and PSQI forms. New spirometry was carried out. Results 39 patients completed the study. The mean age was 52 ± 11 years old and 28 patients (71.79%) were obese. Both groups were similar for all variables studied at baseline. After CPAP use, patients of group II presented more significant improvements (p  Conclusion CPAP therapy for 1 week, with ideal pressure, improves daytime sleepiness and sleep quality, enhances pulmonary function, but does not change the mean time spent with physical activities.