The effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on heart rate and physiological parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Mardin Artuklu University, Mardin, Türkiye.
- 2Department of Health Care Services, Mardin Artuklu University, Vocational School of Health Services, Mardin, Türkiye.
- 3Private Fizikomer Medical Center, Gaziantep, Türkiye.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Pulmonology, Mardin Artuklu University, Mardin, Türkiye.
- 5Division of Pulmonology, Mardin Provincial Health Directorate, Mardin Training and Research Hospital, Mardin, Türkiye.
Abstract
Background
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased sympathetic activity and an elevated cardiovascular risk. Noninvasive interventions targeting autonomic regulation may offer complementary therapeutic strategies.Methods
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the acute effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on the physiological parameters of patients with OSA. Patients with polysomnography-confirmed moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/hour) were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received a standardized 16-minute multiregional fascial mobilization protocol or a control group that rested quietly in the supine position for the corresponding period without receiving manual or tactile intervention. The intervention targeted the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, under controlled conditions. The primary outcomes included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation. Measurements were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 5 and 15 minutes post-intervention.Results
A total of 95 male patients (mean age: 48.12 ± 10.21 years) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups, except for heart rate. After adjustment for baseline heart rate using mixed analysis of covariance, no significant group × time interaction was observed for heart rate (P = .476, partial ηp2 = .008). Similarly, no significant group × time interactions were observed for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or peripheral oxygen saturation (all P > .05). Although significant time effects were observed for some physiological parameters, the magnitude of these effects varied across outcomes, and none was accompanied by a significant group × time interaction. Therefore, these temporal changes were not interpreted as intervention-specific effects. No adverse events were reported.Conclusion
Heart rate changed significantly over time following the interventions; however, after adjustment for baseline heart rate, the pattern of change did not differ significantly between the fascial mobilization and control groups. Similarly, no significant between-group differences in changes over time were observed for blood pressure or oxygen saturation. These findings do not demonstrate a specific acute effect of multiregional fascial mobilization on the physiological parameters assessed. Further studies using advanced measures of autonomic function and longer follow-up periods are warranted.
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BibTeX
@article{ramazanoglu2026effects,
title = {{The effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on heart rate and physiological parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial.}},
author = {Engin Ramazanoglu and Funda Mete Cavus and Dogan Burak Endamli and Mehmet Kabak and Baris Cil},
journal = {Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1097/md.0000000000051172},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42888587},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on heart rate and physiological parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized controlled trial.
AU - Engin Ramazanoglu
AU - Funda Mete Cavus
AU - Dogan Burak Endamli
AU - Mehmet Kabak
AU - Baris Cil
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Medicine
DO - 10.1097/md.0000000000051172
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42888587
AB - Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased sympathetic activity and an elevated cardiovascular risk. Noninvasive interventions targeting autonomic regulation may offer complementary therapeutic strategies.Methods This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the acute effects of multiregional fascial mobilization on the physiological parameters of patients with OSA. Patients with polysomnography-confirmed moderate-to-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/hour) were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received a standardized 16-minute multiregional fascial mobilization protocol or a control group that rested quietly in the supine position for the corresponding period without receiving manual or tactile intervention. The intervention targeted the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, under controlled conditions. The primary outcomes included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and peripheral oxygen saturation. Measurements were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 5 and 15 minutes post-intervention.Results A total of 95 male patients (mean age: 48.12 ± 10.21 years) completed the study. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups, except for heart rate. After adjustment for baseline heart rate using mixed analysis of covariance, no significant group × time interaction was observed for heart rate (P = .476, partial ηp2 = .008). Similarly, no significant group × time interactions were observed for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or peripheral oxygen saturation (all P > .05). Although significant time effects were observed for some physiological parameters, the magnitude of these effects varied across outcomes, and none was accompanied by a significant group × time interaction. Therefore, these temporal changes were not interpreted as intervention-specific effects. No adverse events were reported.Conclusion Heart rate changed significantly over time following the interventions; however, after adjustment for baseline heart rate, the pattern of change did not differ significantly between the fascial mobilization and control groups. Similarly, no significant between-group differences in changes over time were observed for blood pressure or oxygen saturation. These findings do not demonstrate a specific acute effect of multiregional fascial mobilization on the physiological parameters assessed. Further studies using advanced measures of autonomic function and longer follow-up periods are warranted.
SN - 0304-5412
SN - 1536-5964
ER -