Inspiratory muscle training enhances recovery post COVID-19: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: many people recovering from COVID-19 experience prolonged symptoms, particularly breathlessness. We urgently need to identify safe and effective COVID-19 rehabilitative strategies. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential rehabilitative role of inspiratory muscle training (IMT).

Methods: 281 adults (46.6±12.2 years; 88% female) recovering from self-reported COVID-19 (9.0±4.2 months post-acute infection) were randomised 4:1 to an 8-week IMT or a “usual care” wait list control arm. Health-related quality of life and breathlessness questionnaires (King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (KBILD) and Transition Dyspnoea Index (TDI)), respiratory muscle strength and fitness (Chester Step Test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The primary endpoint was KBILD total score, with the KBILD subdomains and TDI being key secondary outcomes.

Results: according to intention to treat (ITT), there was no difference between groups in KBILD total score post-intervention (Control: 59.5±12.4; IMT: 58.2±12.3; p

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Identifiers

ORCID for Zoe L. Saynor: orcid.org/0000-0003-0674-8477

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