Beauty sleep may not be just an expression anymore. New research suggests sleep apnea patients look better after at-home treatments for their disorder.
"Sufferers who were treated for the condition appeared more attractive - with two thirds of the patients in the study being rated more highly in photos taken after treatment than before. some even thought they had fewer wrinkles after treatment." (Via WDAF)
Sleep apnea is a common disorder, where one or more pauses in breathing occurs during sleep due to a blocked airway. Those pauses last between a few seconds to minutes, causing loud snoring or choking which disrupt the sleep cycle. (Via National Institutes of Health)
The study followed 20 adults with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Digital 3D photographs were taken of their faces before and after at least two months of at home therapy. (Via WZVN)
They then had those photographs rated by 22 volunteers — 12 medical professionals and 10 community volunteers. (Via WJLA)
Of the 20 subjects, an average of 68 percent of the evaluators agreed the post-treatment facial images had a more alert appearance. Sixty-seven percent selected post-treatment photos as the more attractive of the two, and 64 percent said the post-treatment pictures appeared more youthful. (Via RedOrbit)
"This study showed that independent human raters … can perceive improved alertness, attractiveness and youthfulness in the appearance of sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea, after they have been compliant with use of CPAP at home." (Via Psych Central)
This is the first study that has shown a specific improvement in facial appearance after at-home sleep apnea treatment. Some wonder if this study was even necessary. (Via WWJ-TV)
"When you are not getting enough sleep you look tired?"
"Yes, it shows on your face."
"When you are well rested you look better?"
"Yes."
"I want some funding to do my own study of something obvious." (Via WTXF)
The research was conducted out of the University of Michigan. The study was published in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
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