POST-COVID-19 SEQUELAE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN A CARDIOPULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM: A CASE REPORT

Background

Post-COVID-19 symptoms are persistent, and their sequelae include fatigue, dyspnea, and decreased functional capacity. In this context, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation can improve the symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life of these patients.

Objective

This paper reports the case of a woman with COVID-19 sequelae presenting frequent symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue.

Methods/Case Description

Patient I.S, 56 years old, presenting dyspnea and post Sars-Cov-2 fatigue, scheduled for a cardiac rehabilitation program. The pre- and post-intervention assessment was based on the: Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS), 1-minute Sit and Stand Test (SST1), 2-minute Stationary Gait Test (2MWT), Test of 6-minute walk (6MWT) and Manovacuometry. The progressive recovery program had the duration of 8 weeks, 2 times per week, based on: 1) Aerobic exercises on a treadmill; 2) respiratory kinesiotherapy; 3) Inspiratory Muscle Training with POWERbreathe® equipment, with progressive load; 4) Circuits and Stretches. The first session started with aerobic exercise for 15 minutes, at 5 km/h, without incline, in continuous use of POWERbreathe®in 2 cmH2O and respiratory kinesiotherapy exercises. The patient had a 100% adherence to the program. Sessions were based on 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at 5 km/h and rib cage stretching exercises with continuous POWERbreathe® at 4 cmH2O.

Results

The results obtained were: PCFS Grade 0 pre- and post-intervention, SST1 (24 repetitions vs 29 repetitions), 2MWT (87 lifts/Borg Final 3 vs 130 lifts/Borg Final 3), 6MWT (561 vs 630m) and Manovacuometer (-80cmH2O / +100cmH2O vs -100cmH2O/+120cmH2O).

Conclusions

A cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program, associated with inspiratory muscle training and respiratory kinesiotherapy, for 8 weeks, was able to promote improvement in respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity after COVID-19.

Implications

A functional rehabilitation program for patients with post-COVID associated with inspiratory muscle training promotes care and respect for the singularities of each case, allowing an early return to activities of daily living.