Implementation of a physiotherapy protocol in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz – São Paulo, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/

Keywords:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Physical Therapy Department, Hospital, Inpatients

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a high
prevalence sleep-disordered breathing associated with
cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Adherence
to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is
crucial to treatment success and efficiency. Patients are
frequently diagnosed during hospitalization, and they do
not have access to the right support or orientation about
the risks associated with this disorder and the importance
of treatment. In this scenario, it is relevant to standardize a
protocol of excellence in the OSA treatment. The primary
aim of this report is to describe the OSA treatment protocol
implemented in a tertiary care hospital. As a secondary aim,
to describe the characteristics of the patients included. This
is a descriptive and retrospective study, via the analysis
of electronic medical records of the patients, who were
included in the OSA treatment protocol designed by the
sleep physical therapy group, in the Inpatient Units of a
hospital in São Paulo during a five years-period. During the Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a high
prevalence sleep-disordered breathing associated with
cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Adherence
to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is
crucial to treatment success and efficiency. Patients are
frequently diagnosed during hospitalization, and they do
not have access to the right support or orientation about
the risks associated with this disorder and the importance
of treatment. In this scenario, it is relevant to standardize a
protocol of excellence in the OSA treatment. The primary
aim of this report is to describe the OSA treatment protocol
implemented in a tertiary care hospital. As a secondary aim,
to describe the characteristics of the patients included. This
is a descriptive and retrospective study, via the analysis
of electronic medical records of the patients, who were
included in the OSA treatment protocol designed by the
sleep physical therapy group, in the Inpatient Units of a
hospital in São Paulo during a five years-period. During the study period, 126 patient were analyzed, and 108 were included and
had their profiles described. According to the reviewed medical
records, the average age of patients was 73 years with 70% males.
The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (80%) followed
by diabetes (50%). In total, 74% were adherents to therapy with
CPAP during hospitalization. It is feasible to implement a protocol
for treatment of hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of OSA.
Keywords | Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure; Physical Therapy Department; Hospital; Inpatients.

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Published

2025-04-29

Issue

Section

Original Research

How to Cite

Implementation of a physiotherapy protocol in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz – São Paulo, Brazil. (2025). Fisioterapia E Pesquisa, 32(cont), e24006324pt. https://doi.org/10.1590/