The effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on heart rate and physiological parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial.
Engin Ramazanoglu, Funda Mete Cavus, Dogan Burak Endamli et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial assessed the acute physiological effects of a 16-minute multiregional fascial mobilization protocol in 95 men with polysomnography-confirmed moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. Participants received mobilization or rested supine; heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation were measured at baseline and up to 15 minutes afterward. After adjustment for baseline heart rate, there was no significant group-by-time interaction for heart rate (P = .476, partial ηp2 = .008), and none was found for blood pressure or oxygen saturation. The study therefore did not demonstrate an intervention-specific acute effect.
Key findings
- For heart rate, the adjusted group-by-time interaction was not significant (P = .476, partial ηp2 = .008).
- No significant group-by-time interactions were observed for systolic or diastolic blood pressure or peripheral oxygen saturation (all P > .05).
- No adverse events were reported.
Why it matters
The findings do not support an acute, intervention-specific change in the measured cardiovascular or oxygenation parameters from this mobilization protocol in the studied population. This helps distinguish changes occurring over time from effects attributable to the intervention and underscores that physiological responses alone should not be assumed to indicate altered autonomic function or cardiovascular risk.
What to keep in mind
The study assessed only acute responses, with measurements ending 15 minutes after intervention, and included male patients only. The authors note that longer follow-up and advanced measures of autonomic function are warranted.