Efficacy of home inspiratory muscle training in post-covid-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial.
Spirometry, covid-19, respiratory muscle strength.
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has surpassed the global number of 119,603,761 cases, with more than 2,649,722 reported deaths. There is sufficient evidence for a possible post-covid-19 syndrome, designating sequelae with persistent symptoms. Respiratory muscle training improves respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, diaphragm muscle thickness, and dyspnea in various patient populations, especially in those with the greatest reduction in baseline respiratory muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home inspiratory muscle training protocol in improving respiratory muscle strength, dyspnea and quality of life in post-Covid-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a clinical, controlled, randomized and blinded trial, which will be carried out at the Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. The sample size will be performed using the GPower software version 3.1.9.2 (Kiel, Germany) for Windows and will be established after carrying out a pilot study with 5 participants in each group (total of 10 subjects) for a hypothetical two-way ANOVA test, using the main variable Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (PImax). The subjects included in the research will undergo three evaluation moments: Pre-training (Initial), Post-Training (6 weeks) and Retention Test (24 weeks) for clinical evaluation form, anthropometric measurements, respiratory muscle strength, volumes and capacities lung disorders, dyspnea, perceived exertion and fatigue, handgrip strength, six-minute walk test, anxiety and depression, post-covid functional status. After the initial assessment, all volunteers will receive a POWERbreathe® device (POWERbreathe®, HaB Ltd, Southam, UK) to carry out the training. EXPECTED RESULTS: provide a safe, effective and easy-to-perform treatment for post-covid-19 patients.