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 48.05 ± 8.85 years 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% (
F
= 5.31,
P
= .041, η
P
2
= 0.13), FEV1% (
F
= 4.91,
P
= .043, η
P
2
= 0.12), DSI (
F
= 4.56,
P
= .032, η
P
2
= 0.15), QOL (
F
= 6.14,
P
= .021, η
P
2
= 0.17), and 6-MWT (
F
= 9.34,
P
= .028, η
P
2
= 0.16). Within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in the IMT group (FVC%,
P
= .047, FEV1%,
P
= .039, DSI,
P
= .001, QOL,
P
< .001, and 6-MWT,
P <
.001), whereas the control group displayed nonsignificant changes (
P >
.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.