Ultrasound Scans of the Tongue in Teens With Obesity and Sleep Breathing Problems
Uses ultrasound to measure tongue characteristics in teens with obesity and breathing problems during sleep.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Ultrasound Assessment of Tongue Characteristics in Adolescents With Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Disorders
Key facts
- Where
- Brussels and De Haan, BelgiumSee the 2 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for teenagers with obesity who are already in the Zeepreventorium weight-loss program and have obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. Healthy teenagers also join as a comparison group.
- Age
- 12 to 18 years
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 1) or any obstructive sleep-disordered breathing found by a sleep questionnaire (OSA-18, ESS, SSS-Ad, PDSS).
- Earlier treatment
- Must already be in the Zeepreventorium weight-loss program as standard care.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Another bone, injury or rheumatic condition affecting the head and neck area
- A syndrome or a nerve and muscle disorder
- Thinking difficulties that make it hard to follow the study steps
- Unable to give informed consent
- Alcohol or recreational drugs in the 48 hours before the study session
Read by machine on 13 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 12 and 18 years old?
Source: NCT07613944, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- KidZ Health Castle - Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel Brussels - Health Campus Avenue du Laerbeek 101 1090 JetteBrussels, BelgiumContact: Inge Gies, MDNo longer taking part
- Zeepreventorium, Koninklijke Baan 5, 8420 De HaanDe Haan, BelgiumContact: Frederic Paillaugue, MSc PTNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Trial code
- NCT07613944
- Record updated
- 29 May 2026
- Original description
Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), represents a significant yet underdiagnosed condition in the pediatric population, particularly among adolescents with obesity. The tongue is a central anatomical contributor to upper airway collapsibility; however, its biomechanical properties have been investigated almost exclusively in adult populations, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding younger individuals.Read full original descriptionShow less
Standardised Ultrasound Assessment of Tongue Characteristics in Adolescents With Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing: a Research Protocol
Obstructive sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), represents a significant yet underdiagnosed condition in the pediatric population, particularly among adolescents with obesity. The tongue is a central anatomical contributor to upper airway collapsibility; however, its biomechanical properties have been investigated almost exclusively in adult populations, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding younger individuals.
This study aims to assess tongue biomechanical and echographic characteristics using quantitative ultrasound modalities - shear-wave elastography (SWE), acoustic attenuation, and echo intensity - in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with obesity and obstructive sleep disorders. The study adopts a mixed design combining (1) an observational cross-sectional comparison between participants with obesity and OSDB and age- and sex-matched healthy controls at baseline, and (2) a prospective longitudinal cohort component evaluating changes in tongue ultrasound characteristics over the course of a 30-week multidisciplinary inpatient weight-loss program delivered as standard care at the Zeepreventorium (De Haan, Belgium). An additionnal methodological objective consists in determining intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the ultrasound acquisition protocol providing a reproducible framework for future studies.
Inclusion: Aged 12-18 years; Already enrolled in Zeepreventorium weight-loss program as Standard Care Diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea (AHI ≥ 1)1 or any Obstructive sleep disordered breathing detected by any of the specific sleep questionnaire (OSA-18, ESS, SSS-Ad, PDSS).
Exclusion: Self-reported alcohol or recreational drug consumption within 48 hours preceding the experimental session; Any other orthopedic, traumatic, or rheumatologic condition affecting the cervicocephalic region; Syndromic or neuromuscular disorders; Cognitive impairment limiting compliance with study procedures; Inability to provide informed consent.