Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in which blockage of the upper airway occurs repeatedly during sleep, posing as a significant public health concern. It leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, poor sleep quality, and hampered quality of life.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for OSA due to its significant efficacy in reducing upper airway obstructions and alleviating associated symptoms. However, chances for successful treatment outcomes are low as the acceptance and adherence to CPAP therapy are low. This necessitates exploring alternative treatment methods that are more acceptable and convenient.
Training or exercising the upper airway muscles, either by playing wind instruments or performing oropharyngeal exercises has been shown to improve the symptoms of moderate OSA. The shankh has been used as a musical instrument or decorative piece since ancient times. Blowing the shankh, a yogic breathing exercise involving forceful exhalation through a conch shell, has been considered to strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve lung function.
A study by Sharma KK et al., published in the journal “ERJ Open Research”, aimed to investigate the effect of blowing shankh on sleep-related outcomes in individuals with moderate OSA over a 6-month intervention period. It included 30 individuals (19−65 years) with self-reported snoring, daytime sleepiness, and recent diagnosis of moderate OSA. Individuals with moderate OSA who practiced shankh blowing slept better, felt more alert during the day, and had fewer breathing interruptions at night compared to those who practised deep breathing (see Graphic).
(Source: Sharma KK, Gupta R, Choyal T, Sharma KK, Sharma D, Sharma T. Efficacy of blowing shankh on moderate sleep apnea: A randomised control trial. ERJ Open Res. 2025. Doi: 10.1183/23120541.00258-2025)