ABSTRACT
Aims: ENO Breathe is an online breathing and wellbeing programme for people with Long COVID focusing on breathing re-training using singing techniques. Aim(s): to assess whether ENO Breathe improves health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in people with persistent breathlessness following COVID-19. Method(s): A parallel-group, single-blind, RCT, comparing ENO Breathe(6 weeks) with usual care in adults, with persisting breathlessness +/- anxiety, following assessment at an NHS Long COVID clinic. Primary Outcome: change in HRQoL using the RAND SF-36 Mental(MHC) and Physical(PHC) Health Composite Scores. Secondary Outcomes: CAT, VAS for breathlessness (rest, walking, stairs, and running), Dysp-12, GAD-7. Participant experience was assessed using focus groups and free-text responses. Result(s): 150 participants (mean(SD) 49(12)years, 81% female, 320(127) days symptomatic;ENO Breathe(n=74), Control(n=76). ENO Breathe was associated with improvement in MHC of 2.42 points (95%CI 0.03 to 4.80, p=0.045), but not PHC 0.6 (-1.33 to 2.52, p=0.541). VAS breathlessness (running) favoured ENO Breathe -10.48(-17.23 to -3.73, p=0.003). Three participant experience themes were identified 1) improvements in symptoms;2) feeling that the programme was complementary to standard care;3) the particular suitability of singing and music to address their needs. Conclusion(s): An online breathing and wellbeing programme can improve the mental component of HRQoL and elements of breathlessness in people with persisting symptoms after COVID-19. Mind-body and music-based approaches, including practical, enjoyable symptom-management techniques may have a role supporting recovery.
ABSTRACT
Background The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound psychological impacts on populations globally, with increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression being reported, especially in people with pre-existing medical conditions who appear to be particularly vulnerable. There are limited data on the specific concerns people have about COVID-19 and what these are based on. Methods The aim of this study was to identify and explore the concerns of people with long-term respiratory conditions in the UK regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these concerns were affecting them. We conducted a thematic analysis of free text responses to the question 'What are your main concerns about getting coronavirus?', which was included in the British Lung Foundation/Asthma UK (BLF-AUK) partnership COVID-19 survey, conducted between the 1st and 8th of April. This was during the 3rd week of the UK's initial social distancing measures. Results 7,039 responses were analysed, with respondents from a wide range of ages, gender, and all UK nations. Respondents reported having asthma (85%), COPD (9%), bronchiectasis (4%), interstitial lung disease (2%), or 'other' lung diseases (e. g. lung cancer) (1%). Four main themes were identified: 1) vulnerability to COVID-19;2) anticipated experience of contracting COVID-19;3) wide-reaching uncertainty;and 4) inadequate national response. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound psychological impacts. The concerns we identified largely reflect objective, as well as subjective, aspects of the current situation. Hence, key approaches to reducing these concerns require changes to the reality of their situation, and are likely to include i) helping people optimise their health, limit risk of infection, and access necessities;ii) minimising the negative experience of disease where possible, iii) providing up-to-date, accurate and consistent information, iv) improving the government and healthcare response.
ABSTRACT
Objectives To assess the experience of people with long-term respiratory conditions regarding the impact of measures to reduce risk of COVID-19. Design Analysis of data (n=9,515) from the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation partnership COVID-19 survey collected online between 1st and 8th of April 2020. Setting Community Participants 9,515 people with self-reported long term respiratory conditions. 81% female, age ranges from <17 years to 80 and above, from all nations of the UK. Long term respiratory conditions reported included asthma (83%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (10%), bronchiectasis (4%), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) (2%), and 'other' (<1%) (e.g. lung cancer and pulmonary endometriosis). Outcome measures Study responses related to impacts on key elements of health care, as well as practical, psychological and social consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures. Results 45% reported disruptions to care, including cancellations of appointments, investigations, pulmonary rehabilitation, treatment, and monitoring. Other practical impacts such as difficulty accessing healthcare services for other issues, and getting basic necessities such as food, were also common. 36% did not use online prescriptions and 54% had not accessed online inhaler technique videos. Psycho-social impacts including anxiety, loneliness and concerns about personal health and family were prevalent. 81% reported engaging in physical activity. Among the 11% who were smokers, 48% reported they were planning to quit smoking because of COVID-19. Conclusions COVID-19 and related social distancing measures are having profound impacts on people with chronic respiratory conditions. Urgent adaptation and signposting of services is required to mitigate the negative health consequences of the COVID-19 response for this group.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is having profound psychological impacts on populations globally, with increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression being reported, especially in people with pre-existing medical conditions who appear to be particularly vulnerable. There are limited data on the specific concerns people have about COVID-19 and what these are based on.MethodsThe aim of this study was to identify and explore the concerns of people with long-term respiratory conditions in the UK regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these concerns were affecting them. We conducted a thematic analysis of free text responses to the question ‘What are your main concerns about getting coronavirus?’, which was included in the British Lung Foundation/Asthma UK (BLF-AUK) partnership COVID-19 survey, conducted between the 1st and 8th of April. This was during the 3rd week of the UK’s initial social distancing measures.Results7,039 responses were analysed, with respondents from a wide range of ages, gender, and all UK nations. Respondents reported having asthma (85%), COPD (9%), bronchiectasis (4%), interstitial lung disease (2%), or ‘other’ lung diseases (e.g. lung cancer) (1%). Four main themes were identified: 1) vulnerability to COVID-19;2) anticipated experience of contracting COVID-19;3) wide-reaching uncertainty;and 4) inadequate national response.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic is having profound psychological impacts. The concerns we identified largely reflect objective, as well as subjective, aspects of the current situation. Hence, key approaches to reducing these concerns require changes to the reality of their situation, and are likely to include i) helping people optimise their health, limit risk of infection, and access necessities;ii) minimising the negative experience of disease where possible, iii) providing up-to-date, accurate and consistent information, iv) improving the government and healthcare response.
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesTo assess the experience of people with long-term respiratory conditions regarding the impact of measures to reduce risk of COVID-19.DesignAnalysis of data (n=9,515) from the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation partnership COVID-19 survey collected online between 1st and 8th of April 2020.SettingCommunityParticipants9,515 people with self-reported long term respiratory conditions. 81% female, age ranges from <17 years to 80 and above, from all nations of the UK. Long term respiratory conditions reported included asthma (83%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (10%), bronchiectasis (4%), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) (2%), and ‘other’ (<1%) (e.g. lung cancer and pulmonary endometriosis).Outcome measuresStudy responses related to impacts on key elements of health care, as well as practical, psychological and social consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures.Results45% reported disruptions to care, including cancellations of appointments, investigations, pulmonary rehabilitation, treatment, and monitoring. Other practical impacts such as difficulty accessing healthcare services for other issues, and getting basic necessities such as food, were also common. 36% did not use online prescriptions and 54% had not accessed online inhaler technique videos. Psycho-social impacts including anxiety, loneliness and concerns about personal health and family were prevalent. 81% reported engaging in physical activity. Among the 11% who were smokers, 48% reported they were planning to quit smoking because of COVID-19.ConclusionsCOVID-19 and related social distancing measures are having profound impacts on people with chronic respiratory conditions. Urgent adaptation and signposting of services is required to mitigate the negative health consequences of the COVID-19 response for this group.