The role of mouth tape for CPAP use in patients with mouth breathing and OSA.

STUDY

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the use of mouth tape in patients with mouth breathing during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, focusing on CPAP adherence. Additional outcomes included daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), snoring (visual analog scale), night awakenings, mouth/throat dryness, leakage, and adverse effects.

METHODS

This randomized crossover study compared CPAP adherence with and without silicone hypoallergenic mouth tape. Participants used each intervention for 30 days, separated by a 1-week washout period. After each period, CPAP data (adherence, apnea-hypopnea index, leakage) and questionnaires were retrieved.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients with obstructive sleep apnea (36 males; apnea-hypopnea index [mean ± standard deviation], 45.8 ± 22.2 events/h; age, 57.7 ± 17.6 years; body mass index, 27.9 ± 7.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned. Participants using mouth tape, compared to those without, showed better CPAP adherence: Average use increased by 51.8 minutes per day (95% confidence interval, 33.1-70.4) and by 41.4 minutes per used day (95% confidence interval, 27.9-55.0). Frequency of use increased by 14.2% (95% confidence interval, 9.3-19.0), with 17.6% more days reaching ≥ 4 hours/night (95% confidence interval, 12.7-22.6). Good adherence increased with an odds ratio of 4.5. Mouth tape statistically improved Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, snoring visual analog scale, mouth/throat dryness, and night awakenings. Adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Using mouth tape in patients with mouth breathing during CPAP improved CPAP adherence in both duration and frequency. Unfavorable symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea or CPAP were alleviated, leading to better sleep quality.

CITATION: Meksukree A, Pitipanyakul S, Laohavinij W, et al. The role of mouth tape for CPAP use in patients with mouth breathing and OSA. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025;21(12):2063-2071.