From the Guidelines
Mouth taping can be beneficial in reducing mouth leak and improving sleep quality in patients with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment, as evidenced by a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine 1. The use of mouth tape has been shown to substantially reduce arousals and increase the amount of REM sleep in patients with symptomatic mouth leak, according to a study by Teschler and coworkers 1. This is particularly relevant for patients with chronic alveolar hypoventilation syndromes who are being treated with NPPV. Some key points to consider when using mouth tape include:
- Reducing mouth leak can improve tidal volume without requiring an increase in pressure support
- High leak can reduce the ability of a given pressure support setting to augment tidal volume
- Substantial mouth leak is often associated with complaints of oral dryness, despite the use of heated humidification
- Interventions to reduce leak, such as taping the mouth or using a chin strap, may be beneficial in improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms. It is essential to note that while mouth taping may be beneficial for some individuals, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before trying it, especially for those with severe nasal obstruction, respiratory conditions, or sleep apnea, as it could potentially worsen breathing difficulties in these cases.
From the Research
Benefits of Mouth Tape
- The use of mouth tape, also known as an adhesive mouthpiece (AMT), has been shown to improve the efficacy of mandibular advancement devices (MAD) in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) 2.
- A study found that combining MAD with AMT resulted in a significant reduction in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) compared to using MAD alone, with 76% of participants achieving an AHI of <10 events/h 2.
- Another study investigated the impact of mouth-taping in mouth-breathers with mild OSA and found that it improved snoring and the severity of sleep apnea, with AHI and snoring index being reduced by about half 3.
- The benefits of mouth tape are thought to be due to the prevention of mouth breathing, which can narrow the upper airway and worsen OSA symptoms 2, 3.
Mechanisms of Action
- Mouth tape may work by preventing mouth breathing and promoting nasal breathing, which can help to reduce upper airway collapsibility and improve OSA symptoms 2, 3.
- The use of mouth tape may also be associated with improvements in oxygen desaturation index and lowest saturation, indicating better oxygenation during sleep 3.
Potential Applications
- Mouth tape may be a useful adjunctive treatment for patients with mild OSA, particularly those who are mouth-breathers 3.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the benefits and limitations of mouth tape in treating OSA and other respiratory conditions.