ApneaTheraPlay: a gamified pre-sleep exercise program for adults with obstructive sleep apnea

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, double‑blind study compares three groups of adults with obstructive sleep apnea: ApneaTheraPlay (ATP), a structured pre‑sleep exercise program (SPEG), and a control group with only a daily activity diary. Participants train three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group does not perform the exercise program. The ATP intervention uses a web‑based, gamified video platform to guide home‑based exercises before sleep. Primary goals are to assess changes in CPAP adherence, sleep quality, and upper airway function, with outcomes measured through polysomnography and patient-reported data. The study targets adults 18–65 with mild to severe OSAS who are current CPAP users and have access to SMART devices.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-65 years of age
* Individuals diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe OSAS (AHI 5-30 events/hour) based on laboratory diagnostic polysomnography assessments
* Individuals diagnosed by a pulmonologist within the last year and who have started CPAP therapy for at most 12 months and who are regular users
* Those with habitual snoring
* All participants in the exercise group must have or have access to a phone, tablet, or computer compatible with SMART technologies using the exercise system app
* Participants must have sufficient physical function to follow the exercise instructions
* Familiarity with mobile health applications, as assessed by the VAS, and a willingness to participate in these exercises of \>7
* Not having participated in physiotherapy-based interventions targeting OSAS in the last 3 months
* A score of 68 or higher on the System Usability Scale (SUS)

Exclusion Criteria:

* • BMI \> 40 kg/m2

  * Serious drug or alcohol abuse
  * Regular use of sedatives, muscle relaxants, or opioids that may affect sleep patterns or exercise performance
  * Pregnancy or postpartum (\<6 months) due to hormonal effects on sleep and respiratory function
  * Any medical contraindication to physical activity (unstable coronary disease, decompensated heart failure) according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise guidelines (American College of Sports Medicine, 2021)
  * History of stroke
  * Presence of any significant respiratory, neuromuscular, or other disorder causing hypercapnia
  * Systemic disease associated with an inflammatory entity (e.g., arthritis, sarcoidosis, vasculitis, lupus)
  * Craniofacial deformity
  * Presence of secondary respiratory diseases such as severe upper airway obstruction or COPD
  * Presence of dysphagia
  * Presence of a frenulum restricting tongue movement

Where it's running

• Istanbul Medipol Universty
  Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gülay Aras Bayram — Medipol University
• Study coordinator: Gülay Aras Bayram, PhD
• Email: garas@medipol.edu.tr
• Phone: 05054966284

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.