Effects of Surgery on Oral Frailty and Dysphagia in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Key facts
- Where
- Kaohsiung City, TaiwanSee the site
Where in Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Armed Forces General HospitalKaohsiung City, TaiwanContact: Yen-Chin Chen, RN, PhDTaking people
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
- National Sun Yat-sen University
- Trial code
- NCT07880067
- Record updated
- 19 October 2026
- Original description
Dysphagia is a commonly reported complaint among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly those who have undergone upper-airway (oropharyngeal) surgery. However, how surgical treatment for OSA affects swallowing function and oral function (oral frailty) remains unclear.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Effects of Surgery on Improving Oral Frailty and Dysphagia in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Prospective Cohort Study
Dysphagia is a commonly reported complaint among patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly those who have undergone upper-airway (oropharyngeal) surgery. However, how surgical treatment for OSA affects swallowing function and oral function (oral frailty) remains unclear.
This prospective cohort study recruits adults with moderate-to-severe OSA from the sleep medicine clinic of Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taiwan. Participants choose their own treatment as part of routine care; the study does not assign or influence treatment. Participants who undergo OSA surgery form the surgery group, and those who receive non-surgical treatment (e.g., CPAP) or no treatment form the non-surgical group. Swallowing difficulty (EAT-10) and oral frailty (seven oral hypofunction indicators) are assessed before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.
Inclusion: Diagnosed by a physician with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >= 15 events/hour); Aged 20 years or older; Willing to receive next-step treatment for obstructive sleep apnea; Willing to participate and provides written informed consent.
Exclusion: Diagnosed with oral cancer and currently receiving oral treatment; Neuromuscular disease (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease); Diagnosed with central sleep apnea.