A Swiss‑run randomised controlled trial tested whether regular didgeridoo practice can blunt daytime sleepiness in moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Twenty‑five adults with an apnoea‑hypopnoea index (AHI) between 15 and 30 were split between a four‑month training programme and a waiting‑list control. Lessons taught lip control, circular breathing and daily home practice of about 25 minutes on nearly six days a week.

After the intervention, the didgeridoo group lowered its Epworth Sleepiness Scale score by an average of three points (95 % CI ‑5.7 to ‑0.3, p = 0.03) and reduced apnoea‑hypopnoea index by 6.2 events per hour (‑12.3 to ‑0.1, p = 0.05). Partners reported a 2.8‑point drop in sleep‑disturbance ratings (p < 0.01). No change appeared in Pittsburgh sleep quality scores, at all, significantly.

The combined z‑score for all sleep‑related outcomes showed a moderate‑to‑large effect size of –0.78 standard deviations (p < 0.01), indicating that upper‑airway muscle training via wind instrument can rival conventional therapies for modest OSA. Health‑related quality‑of‑life measures did not differ between groups, suggesting symptom relief without broader functional gain. The study positions didgeridoo training as a viable, low‑cost adjunct especially in practice for selected patients.