Association of Inspiratory Muscle Training With HD-tDCS for Assistance to Patients With Long Covid-19

Association of Inspiratory Muscle Training With HD-tDCS for Assistance to Patients With Long Covid-19

Effects of an Inspiratory Muscle Training Protocol Associated With Neurological Stimulation by HD-tDCS on the Diaphragmatic Cortex in Post-COVID-19 Subjects

COVID-19 is an infectious disease which presents a heterogenous clinical presentation. Recent investigations suggest that people who were infected by COVID-19 often develop physical disabilities (i.e. pain, fatigue), neurological complications and and mainly disorders of the respiratory system, such as respiratory muscle weakness after hospital discharge. Many therapeutic approaches such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been proposed to minimize functional and structural impairments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training associated with stimulation of the diaphragmatic motor cortex through hd-tdcs in post-COVID-19 patients on inspiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, inflammatory levels and functional capacity.

Transcranial direct current stimulation, Non-invasive brain stimulation, Inspiratory muscle training, Functional capacity, Maximal inspiratory pressure

Experimental: Experimental Group/ Active HD-tDCS Patients randomly enrolled in this group will receive 10 sessions of anodal HD-tDCS stimulation on cortical representation zone of left diaphragmatic motor cortex associated to respiratory training; for 20 minutes (each session) with a 2mA intensity. The electrical current will be delivered with a ramp-up time of 30 s, held at 3mA for 20 min, and then ramped down over 30 s.

Sham Comparator: Control Group / Sham Group In the sham condition, the device will provide a 30-second ramp-up followed immediately by a 30-second ramp down in HD-tDCS associated with inspiratory muscle training for 20 minutes

Experimental group: 10-sessions of anodal HD-tDCS ( tDCS 1x1, developed by Soterix Medical Inc.) associated to respiratory training; for 20 minutes (each session). It will be delivered a 3mA intensity electrical current accordingly 10/20 International System on cortical representation zone of left diaphragmatic motor cortex using HD-tDCS.

Sham Control: 10-sessions of anodal HD-tDCS( tDCS 1x1, developed by Soterix Medical Inc.) associated to respiratory training; for 20 minutes (each session) with a 3mA intensity. The device will provide a 30-second ramp-up followed immediately by a 30-second ramp down.

Maximal inspiratory pressure response to inspiratory muscle training in association with diaphragmatic motor cortex neurostimulation

Compare baseline to treatment responses in the distance covered on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Its measurement has focused on the examination on a broader health indicator than morbidity, as it is correlated with quality of life.

Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume 1st second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) by spirometry

Data of pulmonary function given by FCV, FEV1 and PEF will be assessed before and after pulmonary responses using spirometry

Correlate levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) with inspiratory muscle training and/or diaphragmatic motor cortex neurostimulation

Body composition analysis (body fat composition, muscle mass composition, body mass index) will be carried out by bioelectrical impedance analysis

Anxiety level will be evaluate through Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale which measures the severity of anxiety symptoms in a score 0 to 58. In current practice, it is accepted that scores greater than 25 points characterize severely depressed patients, scores between 18 and 24 points characterize moderately depressed patients, and scores between 7 and 17 points characterize patients with mild depression.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients who had a medical diagnosis of COVID-19, clinically stable, able to respond to simple commands, able to walk for six minutes and who sign study consent form will be enrolled. Exclusion Criteria: Those who present associated neurological diseases, pregnant, users of psychoactive drugs, patients who have metallic implants, electronic devices, pacemakers, or epileptic patients will be excluded.