[The position of submaxillary transcutaneous electrical stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effective position of submaxillary transcutaneous electrical stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODS

With fixed provocative locus of genioglossus and its controlling nerve, 11 normal healthy men and 9 patients with OSAS during awakening were studied to disclose the effect of submaxillary constant-current stimulation under different stimulative radius or intensity and thickness of submaxillary skin. The effects of electric stimulation in 9 OSAS patients with narrowing of the retrotongue-base-pharynx level were compared with the control during sleep.

RESULTS

The submental and internal side of mandibular angle was effective loci for stimulating genioglossus. Stimulative radius and intensity of both loci were not significantly different (P < 0.05) and no influence of the skin thickness was found. During sleep, indices of breath disorder (P < 0.05), oxygen saturation (P < 0.05) and clinical symptoms had significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

Submaxillary electrical stimulation with fixed provocative locus is effective for the treatment of OSAS. The mechanism is perhaps stimulation of genioglossus pushes the tongue ahead and opens the pharyngeal cavity.