App-guided orofacial muscle training for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Official title: Digital-supported Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy in Subjects With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial
Run by Hong Kong Metropolitan University · NCT07292922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test a three-month app-delivered facial-recognition guided orofacial exercise program to see if it reduces sleep apnea severity and symptoms in adults with mild to moderate OSA who cannot tolerate or decline CPAP or oral appliances.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Hong Kong Metropolitan University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong, Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 5, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07292922 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 and over with mild to moderate OSA (AHI 5–30) who are indicated for CPAP or oral appliance therapy but cannot tolerate or decline those treatments and have BMI under 30 kg/m2.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe OSA, significant nasal obstruction, unstable chronic medical or psychiatric conditions, prior OSA-related surgery, or BMI ≥30 are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized pilot trial will compare a 3-month digital-supported orofacial myofunctional therapy (d-MFT) program to a waitlist control in 60 adults with mild to moderate OSA. The d-MFT intervention uses a mobile app with facial-recognition feedback to deliver five 30-minute exercise sessions plus two follow-up phone calls, and it tracks adherence and performance in real time. Primary outcomes include change in OSA severity (AHI), sleep-related symptoms, and quality of life, while feasibility and acceptability are measured with questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Key exclusions include prior OSA-related surgery, significant nasal obstruction, unstable chronic medical or psychiatric conditions, and BMI ≥30 to focus on a population most likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, d-MFT could offer a non-invasive, home-based option to reduce OSA severity and improve sleep-related symptoms for patients who cannot use CPAP or oral appliances.
How similar studies have gone: Prior trials of orofacial myofunctional therapy have shown modest improvements in AHI and symptoms for mild to moderate OSA, but the use of facial-recognition guided, app-delivered programs is relatively novel and not yet widely tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years and above * Diagnosed with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, defined as: Apnoea-Hypopnea Index of 5-30 events per hour * Indications for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or oral appliance treatment, but unable to tolerate or decline these treatments * Body Mass Index less than 30 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of obstructive nasal disease or significant nasal obstruction * Unstable mental health issues * History of stroke * Unstable chronic respiratory, cardiac, neurological conditions * Inability to provide informed consent * Prior oral, pharyngeal, or maxillofacial surgical therapy for sleep apnoea
Where it's running
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Queen Mary Hopsital
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Agnes YK Lai, PhD — Hong Kong Metropolitan University
- Study coordinator: Agnes YK Lai, PhD
- Email: ayklai@hkmu.edu.hk
- Phone: (852)3970-2917
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.