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Development and Investigation of the ApneaTheraPlay

Key facts

Who runs it
Medipol University
Where
Istanbul, TürkiyeSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
54 people, planned
Started
23 Sept 2026
Expected to end
1 Apr 2028
Type of study
Interventional, 3 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Structured Pre-Sleep Exercise
  • ApneaTheraPlay (ATP)
Record updated
13 October 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years to 65 years
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Can take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 10 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • 18-65 years of age
  • Individuals diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe OSAS (AHI 5-30 events/hour) based on laboratory diagnostic polysomnography assessments
  • Individuals diagnosed by a pulmonologist within the last year and who have started CPAP therapy for at most 12 months and who are regular users
  • Those with habitual snoring
  • All participants in the exercise group must have or have access to a phone, tablet, or computer compatible with SMART technologies using the exercise system app
  • Participants must have sufficient physical function to follow the exercise instructions
  • Familiarity with mobile health applications, as assessed by the VAS, and a willingness to participate in these exercises of >7
  • Not having participated in physiotherapy-based interventions targeting OSAS in the last 3 months
  • A score of 68 or higher on the System Usability Scale (SUS)

Who cannot take part

  • • BMI > 40 kg/m2; Serious drug or alcohol abuse; Regular use of sedatives, muscle relaxants, or opioids that may affect sleep patterns or exercise performance; Pregnancy or postpartum (<6 months) due to hormonal effects on sleep and respiratory function; Any medical contraindication to physical activity (unstable coronary disease, decompensated heart failure) according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise guidelines (American College of Sports Medicine, 2021); History of stroke; Presence of any significant respiratory, neuromuscular, or other disorder causing hypercapnia; Systemic disease associated with an inflammatory entity (e.g., arthritis, sarcoidosis, vasculitis, lupus); Craniofacial deformity; Presence of secondary respiratory diseases such as severe upper airway obstruction or COPD; Presence of dysphagia; Presence of a frenulum restricting tongue movement

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

  • Are you between 18 and 65 years old?

Where in Türkiye

  • Istanbul Medipol UniverstyIstanbul, TürkiyeContact: Gülay Aras BayramTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is commonly treated with CPAP devices, but adherence rates are low. Exercise has been shown to strengthen respiratory muscles, improve upper airway function, and enhance sleep quality. However, most studies have examined only single or dual exercise protocols, and there is little evidence regarding integrated programs with four exercise types or their effects when performed directly before sleep.

Read full original descriptionShow less

This project aims to develop and evaluate ApneaTheraPlay (ATP), a digital gamified video-based exercise platform combining respiratory, aerobic, strengthening, and oropharyngeal exercises. The randomized controlled, double-blind study will allocate participants into three groups: ATP, a structured pre-sleep exercise group (SPEG), and a control group (CG). Intervention groups will exercise three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group will only keep a physical activity diary.

The 3 groups in the trial

  • Structured Pre-Sleep Exercise Group (SPEG)Treatment being tested

    Individuals will complete a program consisting of 5-minute breathing, 10-minute aerobic, 5-minute strengthening, and 10-minute oropharyngeal exercises, three times a week for 12 weeks, for a total of 36 sessions.

    Treatment: Structured Pre-Sleep Exercise

  • ApneaTheraPlay (ATP) GroupTreatment being tested

    Participants will exercise individually at pre-sleep times, three days a week, for 12 weeks, using a digital video-based game exercise system developed by researchers, for a total of 36 sessions.

    Treatment: ApneaTheraPlay (ATP)

  • Control Group (CG)No study treatment, for comparison

    Participants in this group will use a physician-prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device and sleep with CPAP every night for 12 weeks. After the study is completed, participants in this group will also be turned on to the ApneaTheraPlay system and will be encouraged to practice the exercises.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Development and Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Digital Video-Based Game Exercise System (ApneaTheraPlay) for Individuals With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Fit questions
Built from NCT07214636, who can take part
Publications
Record updated
13 October 2026