Postural Stability, Balance and Fall Risk in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical condition characterized by the repetitive obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in nocturnal hypoxaemia and fragmented sleep. Fragmented sleep leads to daytime sleepiness that causes alterations in reaction times and reflexes . Postural stability is an important function of the human body. It is shown that the sleep deprivation disturbs daytime postural stability and balance. Aim of this study is to examine the influence of OSA severity and daytime sleepiness on postural stability, balance and fall risk.