Research indicates that blowing through a conch shell may offer a new avenue for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition impacting nearly one billion adults globally. A recent randomized controlled trial found that participants who practiced this traditional technique experienced improved sleep quality compared to those using standard deep breathing exercises.
The study involved 30 participants diagnosed with moderate OSA. Half of the group engaged in a traditional Indian practice known as shankh, which utilizes a conch shell as a wind instrument. The remaining participants practiced deep, slow breathing through the nose and out a relaxed mouth.
According to Krishna K. Sharma, a pulmonologist at the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, the standard treatment for OSA often involves a continuous positive airway pressure machine, or CPAP. This device helps maintain open airways by delivering air through a facemask during sleep. Despite its effectiveness, many patients find CPAP uncomfortable and struggle to use it consistently.
The trial required participants to practice conch shell breathing for fifteen minutes, five days a week. Each participant received formal training in this yogic technique before the study began. “The method involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips,” explained Sharma. This technique generates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which may strengthen the muscles in the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate—areas prone to collapse during sleep in individuals with OSA.
After a six-month period, results showed that the conch-blowing group reported feeling 34 percent less sleepy during the day compared to the deep breathing group. Sleep monitors indicated that these participants experienced up to five fewer apneas per night and maintained significantly higher blood oxygen levels while sleeping.
While Sharma acknowledged that the trial was small and not blinded, he emphasized the clinical significance of the findings. Researchers are now planning a larger trial across multiple hospitals to further validate these results with a more diverse participant group. “We aim to compare conch blowing with standard treatments like CPAP and explore its effectiveness in more severe cases of OSA,” he noted.
The study results have been published in ERJ Open Research, marking a significant step in exploring alternative treatments for sleep apnea. As interest in non-invasive therapies grows, this innovative approach could offer hope for individuals seeking relief from the challenges posed by OSA.
