Indian Journal of Respiratory Care (Jan 2022)

Effect of respiratory exerciser on pulmonary functions of COVID-19 patients: A prospective, observational study

  • Yasemin Yılmaz Aydın,
  • Bedriye Müge Sönmez,
  • Aynur Yurtseven,
  • Kerem Ensarioglu,
  • Bahar Kurt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijrc.ijrc_29_22
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 3
pp. 234 – 239

Abstract

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Background and Aim: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a novel coronavirus that is responsible for the current pandemic. In earlier studies, loss of respiratory function had been observed in survivors. The degree of respiratory function loss and if any early intervention may reduce or prevent it remains an issue to be clarified. The study aimed to investigate the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation through a supporting device on COVID-19 patients during a follow-up period of 1 month. Materials and Methods: In this study, patients were selected among those who had applied to emergency service, were evaluated by a pulmonary medicine resident or specialist, and were required hospital admission. The admission began on March 29th, and the study concluded on June 1st. Respiratory exerciser and peak flow meters were provided to the patients for respiratory function testing. Results: Eighty-four patients admitted to the ward were evaluated for the study between these dates. Thirty-five patients were found suitable for the study. The median discharge Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) value was 225 ml/min (180–285), and the median follow-up PEF value was 465 ml/min (312–515) with an absolute difference of 175 ml/min (85–250). No difference between absolute PEF values and percentages was seen between the control and study groups (P = 0.374 and P = 1.0, respectively). A negative correlation between the Charlson Comorbidity Index and follow-up PEF value was observed (P = 0.009). Conclusions: There was no difference in the utilization of respiratory exercise in the initial period of COVID-19 in our study. These results could be interpreted that COVID-19 patients with no respiratory disease history and low morbidity may not require respiratory exercise to return to basal respiratory function (ClinicalTrials ID: NCT04826731).

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