This pilot investigation will recruit people with Long COVID to participate in a 4 weekindividualized inspiratory muscle training intervention with pre and post spirometrytesting and additional functional outcomes to assess the effectiveness of theintervention.
The study design is a 4 - week parallel-arm intervention, randomised controlled trial.
Participants will attend 2 testing days, baseline and follow-up 4 weeks apart.
Participants will first be screened over the phone to assess eligibility. Participants
will then be randomly allocated using minimisation, into either control or intervention
arm.
Baseline testing:
Participants will undergo baseline testing in the laboratory.
Participants will be measured for their anthropometrics; height and weight. Participants
will complete a series of questionnaires for 15 mins.
Following 15 minutes rest, participants will then have three resting blood pressure and
heart rate measurements and averaged via a sphygmomanometer and polar HR watch.
MIP will be measured using the MicroRPM care fusion 3 times and the highest value
reported (10 minutes). Forced expiratory value in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory
flow (PEF) will be measured using Vitalograph 700 (Spirotrac 6).
Participants will undergo a 6-minute-walk-test self-paced where Rating of perceived
exertion (RPE) and Borg dyspnea scale (BDS) will be assessed each minute. Then a
sub-maximal exercise test using a cycle ergometer and VyntusCPX, where Ventilatory
threshold (VT) and Maximal heart rate (HRMax)will be measured. Participants will be asked
to cycle until they reach a 17 RPE on a ramp test of 10-15W/min (>20mins). Heart rate
(HR), Rating percieved exertion (RPE) and Borg dyspnea scale BDS) measured each minute.
The intervention arm will receive a handheld PrO2 device and will participate in two
unsupervised sessions and one supervised via Microsoft teams sessions per week.
Participants will complete 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Each session will include 6
x 6 inspirations at 80% of MIP. MIP will be measured on the supervised session day. The
control group will be asked to continue as normal throughout the 4 weeks.
Device: PrO2
The intervention arm will receive a handheld PrO2 device and will participate in two
unsupervised sessions and one supervised via Microsoft teams sessions per week.
Participants will complete 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Each session will include 6
x 6 inspirations at 80% of MIP. MIP will be measured on the supervised session day each
week.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Experiencing self reported Dyspnea (Breathlessness) following COVID-19 infection
over 3 months ago.
- Aged between 18 and 65
Exclusion Criteria:
- Are pregnant
- Receiving treatment following a previous cardiac event (Myocardial-infarction and
Non-ST elevation MI),
- Have a dementia diagnosis,
- Have a high risk of falls,
- Have an additional chronic respiratory disease diagnosis such as (Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease) COPD or CF (cystic fibrosis)
- Are receiving respiratory muscle training
- Are receiving steroid inhaler treatment
The University of Bath
Bath, United Kingdom
Investigator: Dylan Thompson, Phd
Contact: +44 (0) 1225 383448
spsdt@bath.ac.uk
Rachel Eddy
00000000
re415@bath.ac.uk
Dylan Thompson
spsdt@bath.ac.uk
Not Provided