Somesthetic perception of upper airway airflow in individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41606-026-00189-4
Cédric Garcion, Alain Piron, Alain Lacroix, Bassam Chakar and Christophe Di Piazza

Abstract
Purpose
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often present altered upper airways (UA) receptors. This study
aimed to validate conscious sensory abilities related to oropharyngeal airflow perception in individuals with OSA and
controls, as a first step toward developing a clinical screening approach based on airflow perception.
Methods
The oropharynx was subjected to experimenter-induced mechanical modifications, generating variations
in its volume and wall tension. Seven conditions modified airflow in an aggravating or facilitating manner, each item
scored 1 when matching the expected response and 0 otherwise, yielding a total sensitivity score ranging from
0 to 7. This prospective study included 112 participants: 41 with OSA and 71 controls (60 questionnaire-negative
and 11 PSG-confirmed non-OSA). To limit bias, experimenters were blinded to participants’ group assignment, and
participants were blinded to their PSG results and questionnaire scores.
Results
Participants demonstrated significant somesthetic perception of airflow variations, with scores above
zero (p < 0.01) and exceeding predefined pragmatic thresholds (up to 51%). Between-group differences were small
(p =0.0367 or > 0.05) and largely compatible with clinical equivalence (δ ± 1).
Conclusion
All participants perceived airflow variations, consistent with expected somesthetic perceptions. Thisproof-of-concept supports measuring airflow perception in at-risk OSA populations.
Trial Registration
Registered at clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT06092710, URL: h t t p s : / / c l i n i c a l t r i a l s . g o v / s t u d y / N C T 0 6 0 9 2 7 1 0
Keywords
OSA, Upper airway collapsibility, Somesthetic perception, Airflow perception, Somatosensory perception

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