Key Takeaway
Mouth breathing during sleep is associated with poorer sleep quality, increased snoring, and reduced daytime alertness.
Summary
This study examined the relationship between mouth breathing during sleep and various sleep quality outcomes. Researchers assessed breathing patterns during sleep and correlated them with subjective and objective sleep measures.
Mouth breathers had significantly worse sleep quality scores, more frequent snoring, and reported greater daytime sleepiness compared to nasal breathers. The association persisted after controlling for other factors.
These findings support the rationale for interventions like mouth taping that promote nasal breathing during sleep.
Methods
- Cross-sectional study design
- Assessment of sleep breathing patterns
- Sleep quality questionnaires
- Daytime alertness measures
Key Results
- Mouth breathing associated with worse sleep quality
- Increased snoring in mouth breathers
- Greater daytime sleepiness
- Effects independent of BMI and other factors
Limitations
- Cross-sectional design (no causation)
- Self-reported breathing patterns
- Did not test interventions