Effect of mandibular advancement splint on psycho-intellectual derangements in patients with sleep apnea syndrome

The mandibular advancement splint (MAS) was recently introduced for the management of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), although its effects on psychointellectual functions have not been elucidated yet. We examined psychointellectual function before and after treatment with MAX in patients with XAS. Twenty patients with SAS underwent psyche-intellectual function testing before and after treatment with MAX for 3 to 4 weeks. The apnea index significantly decreased from 19.0+/-15.6 to 2.4+/-1.9. The state anxiety score significantly decreased from 44.6+/-12.1 to 33.7+/-11.1, the trait anxiety score significantly decreased from 46.2+/-13.4 to 37.6+/-13.8, and the depression scale score significantly decreased from 39.2+/-11.0 to 30.8+/-9.9 with MAX treatment. By the Cornell Medical Index and the Yatabe-Guilford test, the patients became less neurotic and less eccentric after treatment. By the Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test, calculation ability significantly increased from 1247.4+/-402.1 to 1950.2+/-651.9. We conclude that MAX treatment reduces apneic episodes and improves psychointellectual derangements in patients with SAS.