Effects of body position on sleep architecture and quality in subsyndromal adults without apparent obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

There is a well-known relationship between sleep quality and body position during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of body position on sleep architecture and sleep quality in subjects without sleep apnea. One hundred and one subjects between 24 and 77 years of age, who had undergone polysomnography and had a respiratory disturbance index (RDI) below 5 were included in the study. Sleep stages and sleep parameters in the right, left, supine and prone positions were examined. Mean sleep duration in S2, S3 and rapid eye movement (REM) were 110, 39 and 20.7 min in supine position and 61, 28 and 17 min in right position, respectively. Mean RDI at supine position was higher than other positions. Mean minimal oxygen saturation at supine position was significantly lower than other positions. Maximal heart rate and mean arousal index were significantly higher in the supine position. Duration of sleep was highest in the right position in those older than 60 years. Subjects with 40-60 years age had higher duration of sleep in right and supine positions. Female subjects slept more in supine position whereas male ones slept more in right position. Stages of sleep may change according to position. Deteriorations in the parameters of sleep quality (RDI, lowest saturation, arousal index, heart rate) occur in individuals with RDI < 5 as well as in patients with OSA in the supine position.

Lying position classification based on ECG waveform and random forest during sleep in healthy people

“…Kutbay et al study showed that the AHI (activity apnea-hypopnea index) and average minimum oxygen saturation (SOP) were significantly lower in supine than those in other lying positions, and the heart rate as well as average awakening index were higher [ 17 ]. George et al found that lying on either side can significantly reduce OSA (obstructed sleep apnea) [ 18 ].…”

Sleep architecture, insulin resistance and the nasal cycle: Implications for positive airway pressure therapy

“…The status of airflow dominance between the right and left nasal airways is correlated with sympathetic and parasympathetic dominant states, respectively, as regulated by the ANS, 53,54 the lateralised ultradian rhythm of alternating cerebral hemispheric dominance 55,56 and is tightly coupled to sleep staging 44,46,53,55,57,58 and sleep position. 59 This suggests that the nasal cycle is strongly connected with sympathovagal balance. Nasal-applied continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) is considered the gold standard of OSA treatment but has also been shown to abolish the nasal cycle in awake volunteers.…”