Tongue exercises may ease sleep apnea in kids, new study finds
NCT ID NCT07249944
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether myofunctional therapy—simple exercises for the tongue, face, and breathing muscles—can improve sleep in children aged 6-12 with obstructive sleep apnea. Half of the 174 participants will do these exercises for 24 weeks with remote coaching, while the other half receives standard care. The goal is to see if the therapy reduces breathing pauses during sleep and improves symptoms and quality of life.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 174 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Dec 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 to 12 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children aged 6-12 years, with this age range, children start to have a greater ability to understand and follow instructions, making them more likely to comply and cooperate with the treatment procedures, and at the same time this age range remains a critical and modifiable developmental window when interventions can address underlying orofacial muscle and respiratory muscle dysfunctions and enhance the potential for long-term benefits. 2. Diagnosed with OSA based on clinical evaluation and polysomnography (oAHI ≥ 1/hour). The clinical evaluation will involve assessing the presence of habitual snoring, which is defined as snoring occurring 3 nights or more per week on average as reported by parents or caregivers, and any of the following features suggestive of SDB such as oral breathing, respiratory pauses, observed apnoeas, or increased work of breathing during sleep. Children with persistent OSA, documented by repeat PSG, can be included after receiving standard treatments (such as adenotonsillectomy treatment). 3. Informed consent from a parent or a legal guardian. Exclusion Criteria: * Genetic, syndromal, or metabolic disease * Congenital or acquired neuromuscular disease * Syndromal craniofacial abnormalities or previous craniofacial surgery * Severe developmental delay (developmental or functional age \<66% of chronological age) * Children with OSA who are indicated for and will receive other treatments such as adenotonsillectomy, positive airway pressure therapy or orthodontic treatment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
Locations
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Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin, Hong Kong
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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