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Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training in Individuals With Long-term Post-COVID-19 Symptoms

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Covid19
Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome
Interventions
Other: Inspiratory + expiratory muscle training group
Other: Inspiratory + expiratory muscle training sham group
Other: Exercise training program
Registration Number
NCT05597774
Lead Sponsor
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Brief Summary

The main objective of the present study is to observe the short-term effects of respiratory muscle training combined with an exercise training program on quality of life and exercise tolerance in individuals with long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms. As secondary objectives, the effects on respiratory muscle function, physical and lung function, as well as on the psychological state of these individuals.

Detailed Description

It is a double-blind randomized clinical trial study. Each participant will be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 1) Exercise training program + Inspiratory muscle training + Expiratory muscle training, 2) Exercise training program + Sham Inspiratory muscle training + Sham Expiratory muscle training.

The exercise training program will be delivered in hospital and will be applied 2 sessions per week during 8 weeks. The exercise component will be lasted for 1hour and it consisted of cardiovascular exercises.

The respiratory muscle training program will be applied twice a day, 3 sessions per week during 8 weeks by a threshold device. The evening sessions will be supervised by a physiotherapist through a virtual platform.

Participants received baseline assessments at the beginning of the intervention and post-intervention assessments at the end of the 8th week.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
64
Inclusion Criteria
  • Over 18 years who presented long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms of fatigue and dyspnoea for at least 3 months after the COVID-19 diagnosis
Exclusion Criteria
  • Progressive respiratory, neuromuscular or neurological disorders and/or psychiatric or cognitive conditions that hindered their ability to cooperate
  • Comorbidity that could interfere with the study interventions
  • Any contraindication to the training interventions
  • Previous inclusion in a rehabilitation program for their long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms (previous 3 months)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Exercise training + Inspiratory and expiratory muscle training groupInspiratory + expiratory muscle training groupParticipants will perform a cardiovascular exercise program 2 days per week during 8 weeks in the hospital, combined with an inspiratory and expiratory muscle training by a threshold device at home, twice a day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks supervised by a physiotherapist through a virtual platform.
Exercise training + Inspiratory and expiratory muscle training groupExercise training programParticipants will perform a cardiovascular exercise program 2 days per week during 8 weeks in the hospital, combined with an inspiratory and expiratory muscle training by a threshold device at home, twice a day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks supervised by a physiotherapist through a virtual platform.
Exercise training + Inspiratory and expiratory muscle training sham groupInspiratory + expiratory muscle training sham groupParticipants will perform a cardiovascular exercise program 2 days per week during 8 weeks in the hospital, combined with an inspiratory and expiratory muscle training by a sham threshold device at home, twice a day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks supervised by a physiotherapist through a virtual platform.
Exercise training + Inspiratory and expiratory muscle training sham groupExercise training programParticipants will perform a cardiovascular exercise program 2 days per week during 8 weeks in the hospital, combined with an inspiratory and expiratory muscle training by a sham threshold device at home, twice a day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks supervised by a physiotherapist through a virtual platform.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in quality of lifeBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in quality of life between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by the EuroQol-5D questionnaire which consists of 5 dimensions with 5 response options based on severity level, ranging from 1 to 5. An index score is provided, ranging from 0 (death) to 1 (full health).

Change in exercise toleranceBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in exercise tolerance between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by a cardiopulmonary exercise test

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in respiratory muscle functionBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength and inspiratory muscle endurance between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by maximum static inspiratory and expiratory pressures and by a constant load breathing test

Change in physical functionBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in lower and upper limb strength between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by 1-min Sit-to-Stand and peripheral muscle force (dynamometry)

Change in pulmonary functionBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in pulmonary function and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by pulmonary function tests

Change in psychological statusBaseline and 1-week post-intervention (9 weeks from baseline)

Change in anxiety/depression levels between baseline and post-intervention, as measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre de Madrid

🇪🇸

Madrid, Spain

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