HYDROTHERAPY-STIMULATED RESPIRATORY SYSTEM REHABILITATION FOR PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has obvious effects on people’s health and mental state. COVID-19 is known to be a respiratory disease that is usually mild and starts gradually with such symptoms as fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing. Therefore, after recovery from COVID-19, people should pay close attention to respiratory rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to improve respiratory rehabilitation process with hydrotherapy. The pilot study was carried out in view of the research aim from 17 January 2022 to 20 February 2022 at Salaspils swimming pool. 12 subjects (females) aged 19-62 recovering from COVID-19 took part in the pilot study and were observed up to one month after COVID-19. A course of breathing exercises in water was prepared. The course consisted of 10 practical lessons 45 minutes each. The analysis of the average result dynamics in the heart rate and oxygen saturation measurements during the experiment showed that the difference was statistically insignificant, α>0.05. The analysis of the breathing frequency dynamics during the experiment showed that the difference was statistically insignificant, α>0.05, but the difference in chest excursion was statistically significant, α<0.05. The analysis of the PEF dynamics during the experiment showed that the difference was statistically significant, α<0.05, which implied an increase in the subjects’ PEF after the research and that their respiratory system worked more efficiently. The effectiveness of the hydrotherapy-stimulated respiratory system rehabilitation course was positive in terms of PEF and chest excursion difference. This pilot study experimental group helped to determine the next steps of the study and specified if any adjustments in the methodology was required.   One of the steps is to improve the validity of the study for which the number of subjects should be increased (n=30).