Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease (Jun 2022)

Efficacy of a rehabilitation protocol on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function and ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm and quadriceps femoris in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a series of cases

  • Karina Vieira da Costa,
  • Iara Tainá Cordeiro de Souza,
  • João Victor dos Santos Felix,
  • Celso Brendo Furtado Brandão,
  • Vanessa Michelle de Souza Fernandes,
  • Andressa Bomfim Lugon Favero,
  • Maria Lucrécia de Aquino Gouveia,
  • Dyego Tavares de Lima,
  • José Heriston de Morais Lima,
  • Rafaela Pedrosa,
  • Tatiana Onofre,
  • Geraldo Eduardo Guedes de Brito,
  • Eduardo Eriko Tenorio de França

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2022.2206

Abstract

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This study assessed the efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on pulmonary and respiratory muscle function and thickness of quadriceps femoris and diaphragm of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. This series of cases followed nine patients who performed PR twice a week for six weeks. Patients received the following PR program: lung expansion therapy; respiratory muscle training; upper limb strength exercises; aerobic exercises on a treadmill. After the program, we observed increased peak expiratory flow (26.03%), forced vital capacity (FVC) (7.14%), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (9.55%), and ratio between FEV1/FVC (6.19%). All parameters of respiratory muscle strength and endurance were improved. Diaphragmatic thickening fraction and thickness of quadriceps femoris also improved, whereas echo intensity of quadriceps reduced. Thus, RP protocol improved pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, and thickness of diaphragm and quadriceps femoris, and reduced echo intensity of quadriceps in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

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