(NewsNation) — A traditional Indian practice of blowing into a conch shell, known as “shankh,” may offer some relief to those suffering from sleep apnoea, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, found that participants with sleep apnea who regularly practiced blowing into a conch shell for six months experienced a noticeable improvement in their symptoms.
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated breathing stops during the night due to a blocked airway, resulting in loud snoring, restless sleep and daytime fatigue, researchers said. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
The study involved 30 adults with moderate sleep apnea, aged 19 to 65, who were monitored between May 2022 and January 2024. Participants underwent overnight testing to assess sleep patterns and completed questionnaires on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
Participants were randomly assigned to either conch blowing or a deep breathing exercise. They were trained in person and encouraged to practice at home for at least 15 minutes, five days a week.
After six months, those in the conch blowing group reported better sleep, were 34% less sleepy during the day, and showed four to five fewer apnoeas per hour on average. Sleep testing also revealed they had higher nighttime oxygen levels in their blood.
“Shankh blowing is a simple, low-cost breathing technique that could help improve sleep and reduce symptoms without the need for machines or medication,” said Krishna Sharma, who led the study. “This action creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which likely strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate, areas that often collapse during sleep in people with OSA.”
Currently, the most common treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, machine, which delivers pressurized air into the nose and throat during sleep. While effective, CPAP use can be uncomfortable, leading researchers to suggest conch blowing as a potential alternative.
Sharma said a “larger trial involving several hospitals” is being planned to explore the benefits of the practice.