Reply to: Inspiratory muscle training for COVID‐19: Benefits appear promising but findings remain uncertain

Abstract

We concur regarding the uncertain impact of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) owing to substantial heterogeneity and wide prediction intervals. As highlighted in our meta-analysis, only three published studies were included in the analysis of PImax, which may lead to uncontrollable pronounced heterogeneity. Encouragingly, our exploration revealed the existence of 49 ongoing registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials. gov/) aimed at assessing the effect of IMT on patients with COVID-19 as of December 8, 2023. Notably, a majority of these investigations have identified PImax as a primary evaluative metric. In addition, other most recently studies published after our metaanalysis also indicated positive effect of IMT on PImax in patients with different status of COVID-19. 1,2 Consequently, it is imperative to update our findings and undertake subgroup analyses in forthcoming research endeavors.