Mouth and throat exercise programmes have shown benefits in some adults with obstructive sleep apnoea. They require active practice and follow-up. These results do not prove that a standard appliance works and do not support replacing prescribed treatment, particularly CPAP.
Which exercises do studies investigate?
Myofunctional therapy for sleep combines several tongue and throat movements in a defined programme. It is not simply “strengthening the tongue” as hard as possible. Studies assess the programme, its instruction and practice in a diagnosed population.
Passively wearing a tongue appliance is therefore not the intervention studied. These exercises should also be distinguished from oral appliances prescribed for some apnoea patients. A retraining device sold to the public cannot be equated with all these treatments.
What benefits have been observed?
The 2020 Cochrane review concludes that exercises probably reduce daytime sleepiness in adults compared with sham therapy. They may improve some breathing outcomes, but certainty varies by outcome. Trials were short and small. Rueda et al., Cochrane, 2020
A meta-analysis of randomised trials published in 2024 reports favourable results for several adult measures. It emphasises that long-term effects remain unknown. The available paediatric finding does not support promising the same benefit in children. Saba et al., 2024
These group averages do not predict an individual's result. Feeling less tired is insufficient to establish that apnoea is adequately controlled.
Why should CPAP not be replaced?
CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure, maintains airflow during sleep at the prescribed settings. The available comparison in the Cochrane review does not show better control of respiratory events with myofunctional therapy.
The European Respiratory Society makes a conditional recommendation against choosing myofunctional therapy instead of CPAP, based on low-quality evidence. ERS recommendations, 2021
If you tolerate treatment poorly, report the difficulties to your care team. Adjusting treatment or choosing another approach requires reassessment. Do not reduce treatment because an exercise seems effective.
How can you discuss exercises with your sleep professional?
- Could exercises have a role in my situation, and for which goal?
- Who can teach them and check their performance?
- What practice arrangements are planned?
- How will changes in symptoms and sleep measurements be checked?
- Which treatment should I continue during this work?
Snoring accompanied by witnessed breathing pauses or sleepiness warrants medical advice. Apnoea is not diagnosed from the sound of snoring or tongue strength.
MyoTrain or Myoforce: what can be said?
MyoTrain, priced at €20, is a tongue exercise device. The Myoforce appliance, priced at €50, is a standard moulded tongue retraining appliance. No study in our evidence file evaluated these products for sleep apnoea.
Show any appliance you are considering to the professional before adding it to your programme. Benefits of studied exercises should not be attributed to the product.
To understand functional work, see tongue strengthening: strength, mobility and coordination and the guidance on exercise duration and evaluation.
Sources and method
- Rueda et al., Cochrane, 2020. Oropharyngeal exercises and obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Saba et al., 2024. Myofunctional therapy and apnoea: meta-analysis of randomised trials.
- European Respiratory Society, 2021. Recommendations on non-CPAP treatments for sleep apnoea.
Written by: Dr Vladimir Khourda, a dentist who no longer practises. Informational content updated on 1 October 2026 using the references cited. It does not replace an individual assessment.