Gait abnormalities in obstructive sleep apnea and impact of continuous positive airway pressure

G Allali; S Perrig; M Cleusix; F R Herrmann; D Adler; G Gex; S Armand; J P Janssens; J L Pepin; F Assal

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2014.06.012

Gait abnormalities in obstructive sleep apnea and impact of continuous positive airway pressure

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2014 Sep 15:201:31-3. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2014.06.012. Epub 2014 Jul 4.

Authors

G Allali¹, S Perrig², M Cleusix³, F R Herrmann⁴, D Adler⁵, G Gex⁵, S Armand⁶, J P Janssens⁵, J L Pepin⁷, F Assal³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive and Motor Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. Electronic address: gilles.allali@hcuge.ch.
² Sleep Research Laboratory, Geneva University Hospital and University of Geneva, Switzerland.
³ Department of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Switzerland.
⁴ Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospital and University of Geneva, Switzerland.
⁵ Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Geneva University Hospital and University of Geneva, Switzerland.
⁶ Willy Taillard Laboratory of Kinesiology, Geneva University Hospitals and Geneva University, Switzerland.
⁷ Sleep Research Laboratory, Geneva University Hospital and University of Geneva, Switzerland; Univ. Grenoble Alpes, HP2, Inserm, HP2 (U1042), 38043 Grenoble, France.

PMID: 24999279
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2014.06.012

Abstract

We aimed to determine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on gait in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Gait during single and dual tasks was recorded in 15 OSA patients at baseline and after 8 weeks of CPAP therapy. Step and stance time improved after CPAP. We showed a specific dual-task effect in the condition of verbal fluency. Eight weeks of CPAP seems to improve gait of OSA patients that are specifically disturbed by the dual task of verbal fluency.

Keywords: Continuous positive airway pressure; Gait disorders/ataxia; Obstructive sleep apnea.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / methods*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology*
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / therapy*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neurologic Examination
Pilot Projects
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications*