Post COVID REspiratory mechanisms and the efficacy of a breathing exercise intervention for DYsregulated breathing...

BackgroundDysregulated breathing is a major cause of persisting breathlessness for many people following acute COVID-19 illness. There is little evidence to support the use of breathing interventions within this population.MethodsA feasibility study was conducted to investigate the potential role of supervised, remote online yogic breathing as an intervention, compared to usual care. The intervention was a six-week group programme, in which they were encouraged to attend bi-weekly. Primary outcomes of attendance, completion and acceptability were recorded and a survey following the intervention. Secondary measures of breathlessness and physical function were collected.ResultsOf 122 people invited who had reported dysregulated breathing at the time of clinical consult, 40 consented and 34 were randomised (Intervention n=17, usual care n=17), 33 had initial assessment (n=16 and n=17) and with post-intervention outcomes available in n=13 and n=14, respectively. Of the 13 in the intervention arm, 5 people completed >75% of sessions and the post intervention assessment. The median number of sessions attended per participant was 7. No safety issues were recorded. The survey (n=13) of the actual intervention highlighted it was well received but there was limited options for attending. Although some breathlessness measures improved in the people receiving the intervention, there was no significant difference when comparing the intervention to usual care arms.ConclusionsThe feasibility of the study was limited in this select population of people after COVID-19 with dysregulated breathing. The intervention was well received, but attendance at all the sessions was challenged by the limited options for the sessions.