Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome are common sleep disorders caused by the collapse of the upper airways. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is effective, but is not suitable for many patients.

Reports of didgeridoo players experiencing reduced daytime sleepiness and snoring after practising, led experts in Switzerland to test the theory that training of the upper airways by didgeridoo playing can improve these disorders.

The authors conclude that regular training of the upper airways by didgeridoo playing reduces daytime sleepiness and snoring in people with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and also improves the sleep quality of partners.

My doctor jokes about me being the poster child for CPAP in New Mexico. My apnoea is well controlled and my wife says the murmur of my CPAP machine provides a pleasant enough white noise as background for her own sleep.

This study sounds plausible enough. I tracked down the .pdf of the study and the researchers included appropriate testing methods not mentioned in this article. Sounds like it might really lead to useful therapy for folks with moderate OSA and snoring problems.



  1. mike cannali says:

    I have a CPAP too. Made a bubbler so it doesn’t dry you out.

  2. Susan Tucker says:

    I betcha we have the same sleep doc, only there’s been some mistake. He said _I_ am the poster child for CPAP. Thank you for posting this study!

    I recently bought a didge from these folks (excellent fast shipping, trouble-free purchase):

    http://www.didgeridoostore.com/didgeridooproductsmodern.htm

    I bought this to work on circular breathing and was surprised to read about this sleep apnea study when I went looking for a didgeridoo discussion group. I guess I have even more motivation to play the thing now.

    Susan


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