Aim: Impaired exercise capacity is common in OSAS, negatively affecting QOL. We aimed to compare the effects of Tele-Yoga (TY) on exercise capacity, respiratory and cognitive performance, and QOL in OSAS patients.

Methods: 44 OSAS patients were randomized into TY (n=22, AHI 31.7±21.2) and controls (n=22, AHI 24.9±17.8). TY underwent live synchronous group-based TY sessions, 60 min/day, three days/week, for 12 weeks. Controls performed unsupervised thoracic expansion exercises at home 4 times daily for 12 weeks. Following were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the 6th and 12th weeks: body composition, MIP and MEP, exercise capacity (CPET), cognitive function (Corsi Block Tapping Test, CBTT, and Stroop Test, ST), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, EUS), and QOL (SF-36).

Results: TY significantly improved MIP, and CPET parameters (VE, atVE, HRmax, RQmax, atRQ) compared to controls (p<0.05). CBTT (forward span, forward correct count, forward total) and ST (ST-3,4,5), PSQI (sleep duration, sleep efficiency, subjective sleep quality sub-parameters, total score) EUS, and SF-36 (emotional role, mental health, bodily pain) scores improved significantly in the TY group compared to the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: TY improves inspiratory muscle strength, cognitive performance, exercise capacity, sleep quality, and QOL in OSAS patients. We suggest including TY intervention as a method of exercise since it improves sleep, respiratory and cognitive function and exercise capacity in OSAS patients.