ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on recovered COVID-19 patients after weaning from mechanical ventilation. Therefore, this study assessed the efficacy of IMT on recovered COVID-19 patients following mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Forty-two recovered COVID-19 patients (33 men and 9 women) weaned from mechanical ventilation with a mean age of 48.05â±â8.85âyears were enrolled in this pilot control clinical study. Twenty-one patients were equipped to 2-week IMT (IMT group) and 21 matched peers were recruited as a control (control group). Forced vital capacity (FVC%), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), dyspnea severity index (DSI), quality of life (QOL), and six-minute walk test (6-MWT) were assessed initially before starting the study intervention and immediately after intervention. RESULTS: Significant interaction effects were observed in the IMT when compared to control group, FVC% (Fâ=â5.31, Pâ=â.041, ηP2â=â0.13), FEV1% (Fâ=â4.91, Pâ=â.043, ηP2â=â0.12), DSI (Fâ=â4.56, Pâ=â.032, ηP2â=â0.15), QOL (Fâ=â6.14, Pâ=â.021, ηP2â=â0.17), and 6-MWT (Fâ=â9.34, Pâ=â.028, ηP2â=â0.16). Within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in the IMT group (FVC%, Pâ=â.047, FEV1%, Pâ=â.039, DSI, Pâ=â.001, QOL, Pâ<â.001, and 6-MWT, Pâ<â.001), whereas the control group displayed nonsignificant changes (Pâ>â.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week IMT improves pulmonary functions, dyspnea, functional performance, and QOL in recovered intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients after consecutive weaning from mechanical ventilation. IMT program should be encouraged in the COVID-19 management protocol, specifically with ICU patients.