A claim you hear on longevity podcasts
Leaning for. Of 4 studies that test it, 2 agree and 2 partly agree.
The claim checked: Mouth tape is not a treatment to rely on for suspected sleep apnea Hear it at 20:41
Four studies test this, and none supports mouth tape as a treatment for apnea in general. A systematic review of 10 studies, which sums up the research on a question, says the data does not support it. In a home sleep test study, oxygen drops got worse in half of those taped. Two studies partly agree: one tested 20 adults with mild apnea who tolerated the tape, and warns against it in moderate or severe apnea. The other found about one-quarter of patients may get worse when mouth breathing is blocked. The single studies are small.
Computed from 4 studies that test this point, each judged by two readers, in full. 5 more studies are waiting for a full read and do not count yet.
“I wouldn't treat suspected sleep apnea with mouth tape.”
other primary study · 2023
“ODI in half of the participants deteriorated after they were mouth-taped during sleep.”
Mouth Puffing Phenomenon and Upper Airway Features May Be Used to Predict the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Nat Sci Sleep
Who: Adults aged 35-60 years having a home sleep test, classified by oxygen desaturation index as no, mild, moderate or severe OSA; 45 men and 13 women in the taped comparison
PMID 37032816
systematic review · 2025
“The existing data does not support mouth taping or oral occlusion as a sound clinical intervention for the general population with sleep disordered breathing.”
Breaking social media fads and uncovering the safety and efficacy of mouth taping in patients with mouth breathing, sleep disordered breathing, or obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review. PLoS One
Who: Patients with OSA, nasal obstruction or mouth breathing during sleep in 10 studies; mean or median age 38-64, baseline AHI 13-47
PMID 40397877
other primary study · 2022
“Mouth-taping is not recommended for moderate or severe OSA patients because it may impose dangers rather than benefits in these patients.”
The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study. Healthcare (Basel)
Who: 20 adults aged 20-60 (19 men, 1 woman; median age 38, median BMI 24.5) with mild OSA (AHI <15), witnessed mouth-breathing and tolerance of mouth tape, one hospital in Taiwan
PMID 36141367
trial or observed group · 2024
“The results of our study suggested that caution should be used in universally applying therapies to prevent mouth breathing in patients with OSA, as approximately one-quarter may experience a deleterious response.”
Mouth Closure and Airflow in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
Who: Adults with diagnosed OSA undergoing drug-induced sleep endoscopy; 72% male, median age 55 years, median AHI 26.9, median BMI 28.9
PMID 39361293
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