Acupuncture appears to have a therapeutic effect on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on blood oxygen saturation in the patient of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in sleeping and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on this disease. METHODS: Thirty cases with OSAHS were treated with acupuncture at Shanglianquan (Extra), Fengfu (GV 16), Yamen (GV 15), Fengchi (GB 20), etc. 3-5 sessions each week. After treatment of 30 sessions, apneahypopnea index (AHI), mean blood oxygen saturation (MSaO2), the lowest blood oxygen saturation (LSaO2), oxygen desaturation>or = 4% index (ODI4), the mean blood oxygen saturation of oxygen desaturation when SaO2<90%, the longest time of oxygen saturation>or = 4% were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: The effective rate of acupuncture was 23.3% for OSAHS. After acupuncture, AHI and ODI4 significantly reduced (P<0.01); LSaO2 significantly increased (P<0.01); MSaO2 and the mean blood oxygen saturation of oxygen desaturation when SaO2<90% significantly enhanced (P<0.05); the longest time of oxygen saturation>or = 4% did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: The acupuncture treatment has intervenient effect on OSAHS and alleviates anoxia, so acupuncture is one of therapies improving anoxia in patients of OSAHS.