Post-COVID respiratory symptoms are diverse, variable, and often undetectable by traditional tests. We recommend to read a very useful study that explores tailored interventions for post-COVID patients, highlighting the need for a broad range of tests and interventions. Previous research identified dysfunctional breathing as a primary symptom, consistent with earlier studies. Patients reported dyspnoea, ribcage pain, and chest tightness, with normal breathing patterns often disrupted when upright. Most patients improved their breathing patterns through specific exercises. Recovery from post-COVID conditions varies, likely due to COVID-19’s multi-organ impact. Patients should be informed about potential setbacks and the physiological basis of altered breathing patterns, which involve increased intercostal muscle use due to decreased diaphragm function, potentially leading to pain and reduced thoracic mobility. In this study, 44% of participants reported thoracic pain, which improved with targeted treatment.
Respiratory muscle training (RMT) normalized or improved muscle strength in 85% of participants performing inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and 71% performing expiratory muscle training (EMT). These findings support RMT’s feasibility and success for post-COVID conditions. However, RMT should be individualized to avoid exacerbating dysfunctional breathing patterns. Unproductive and productive coughs were common, with physiotherapy interventions proving effective. The study’s strengths include a consecutive patient series and specialized respiratory physiotherapy. However, the lack of a control group suggests the need for randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.
Recommended reading: The complexity of what to do” – clinical perspectives of tailored physiotherapy interventions in patients with respiratory symptoms in post-COVID condition. Monika Fagevik Olsén, Louise Lannefors, Ewa-Lena Johansson, Niklas Sinderholm Sposato, Malin Nygren-Bonnier & Jenny Danielsbacka (24 Oct 2024).
You can download the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2024.2419051
