Does wearing mask during sleep affect cardiopulmonary function in OSA?

Wearing a face mask while sleeping shows no adverse effect on cardiopulmonary function in patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), although it can be uncomfortable, particularly when using the N95 mask, according to a study. A surgical mask may be used as an alternative.

This prospective, randomized, crossover-controlled trial determined whether wearing masks during sleep affected cardiopulmonary function, including in patients with OSA.

The authors examined the impact of wearing surgical masks or N95 respirators on cardiopulmonary function in healthy participants and patients with mild-to-moderate OSA. They also monitored sleep breathing parameters during nocturnal sleep using a sleep monitor and assessed subjective feelings about mask wearing using a questionnaire.

Wearing masks during sleep at night did not significantly affect sleep breathing parameters, and no significant differences were noted in heart rate, blood oxygenation, and blood pressure before and after wearing masks.

However, the participants reported being uncomfortable while wearing masks during sleep, especially the N95 respirator, which also appeared to have adversely affected sleep quality.

“Thus, in circumstances where wearing N95 masks during nocturnal sleep proves intolerable, we recommend the use of surgical masks as a more comfortable alternative,” the authors said.

Of note, masks are worn during sleep in some situations to prevent respiratory infections, according to the authors.