An estimated 30 million people in the United States have sleep apnea, with obstructive sleep apnea being among the prevalent of sleep disorders. While continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) remains the standard for the treatment of apnea, many patients are CPAP-intolerant, and compliance with the use of CPAP may be low for a variety of reasons. Because of this, additional therapies to reduce apnea are much needed. This article reviews additional therapies for which clinical evidence exists, including weight loss, positional therapy, breathing exercises, oropharyngeal exercise (also called myofunctional therapy), and acupuncture.
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