Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung HY(1)(2), Ng WK(1)(2), Lai HK(1)(2), Young HK(2), Chan PS(2), Tseung CH(2), Lai WK(2)(3), Liu KL(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (2) Integrated Community Rehabilitation Centre, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (3) Dietetics Department, Tung Wah Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
The prevalence rates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Hong Kong are approximately 4% and 2% among middle-aged men and women, respectively. Obesity and central adiposity are significant risk factors for OSA, as they mechanistically contribute to increased pharyngeal collapsibility (Lam et al., 2012). Epidemiological evidence suggests that 40% of the obese population present with OSA, while 70% of patients with OSA are obese (Wolk et al., 2003). Furthermore, a 10% change in body weight has been associated with a parallel change of approximately 30% in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (Schwartz et al., 2008). Accordingly, lifestyle modification interventions leading to weight reduction are of paramount importance in mitigating the severity of OSA.
Objectives :
The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Multi-Disciplinary Weight Reduction Program among patients diagnosed with OSA in Tung Wah Eastern Hospital (TWEH).
Methodology :
Obese patients with OSA were first screened at the TWEH OSA clinic and referred to the Integrated Community Rehabilitation Centre (ICRC) for MWM-OSA Program. The program included doctor and dietitian consultations, nursing counseling, and physiotherapy supervised exercise training alongside health education. Personalized exercise regimens comprising aerobic, strengthening, and virtual reality-based exercises were designed to target a 10% weight reduction over 6 months. Telehealth physiotherapy education was also provided via educational videos and HA Go App. The primary outcome measures assessed included body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat and muscle mass percentage, and visceral fat rating (VFR). Physical fitness was evaluated through the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and One-Repetition Maximum (1RM). Patient satisfaction was collected through questionnaire surveys. The Sign test was used on comparison of pre and post outcomes.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 24 OSA patients, comprising 15 males and 9 females aged 49 to 75 years (mean=62.7, SD=6.95), were recruited. Upon completion of the MWM-OSA Program, statistically significant reductions in body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and VFR (p<0.05), as well as an increase in muscle mass percentage (p<0.05) were observed. However, the mean percentage of body weight reduction achieved (4.79%) did not meet the pre-established 10% target. Significant enhancements were also noted in physical fitness measures(p<0.05), with the 6MWT distance increasing from 445.8 to 510.4 meters, and improvements in upper and lower limb 1RM. Patients reported high satisfaction with the program, with a mean score of 4.52 out of 5 (SD=0.60).
In conclusion, the MWM-OSA Program demonstrated efficacy in body weight management and improving physical fitness among obese OSA patients, who reported high satisfaction.
