Inspiratory Muscle Training in People With Long COVID-19- A Pilot Investigation.

Does a 4-week Inspiratory Muscle Training Intervention (IMT) Increase Inspiratory Muscle Pressure (MIP) and Other Functional Outcomes in People With Long COVID? A Pilot Investigation

This pilot investigation will recruit people with Long COVID to participate in a 4 week individualized inspiratory muscle training intervention with pre and post spirometry testing and additional functional outcomes to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.

The study design is a 4 - week parallel-arm intervention, randomised controlled trial. Participants will attend 2 testing days, baseline and follow-up 4 weeks apart. Participants will first be screened over the phone to assess eligibility. Participants will then be randomly allocated using minimisation, into either control or intervention arm. Baseline testing: Participants will undergo baseline testing in the laboratory. Participants will be measured for their anthropometrics; height and weight. Participants will complete a series of questionnaires for 15 mins. Following 15 minutes rest, participants will then have three resting blood pressure and heart rate measurements and averaged via a sphygmomanometer and polar HR watch. MIP will be measured using the MicroRPM care fusion 3 times and the highest value reported (10 minutes). Forced expiratory value in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) will be measured using Vitalograph 700 (Spirotrac 6). Participants will undergo a 6-minute-walk-test self-paced where Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and Borg dyspnea scale (BDS) will be assessed each minute. Then a sub-maximal exercise test using a cycle ergometer and VyntusCPX, where Ventilatory threshold (VT) and Maximal heart rate (HRMax)will be measured. Participants will be asked to cycle until they reach a 17 RPE on a ramp test of 10-15W/min (>20mins). Heart rate (HR), Rating percieved exertion (RPE) and Borg dyspnea scale BDS) measured each minute. The intervention arm will receive a handheld PrO2 device and will participate in two unsupervised sessions and one supervised via Microsoft teams sessions per week. Participants will complete 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Each session will include 6 x 6 inspirations at 80% of MIP. MIP will be measured on the supervised session day. The control group will be asked to continue as normal throughout the 4 weeks.

Participants will arrive at the Laboratory and complete a series of questionnaires: general physical activity, BDI, TDI, PSQI, General health questionnaire, Post COVID fatigue scale, EQ 5D-5L. They will undergo spirometry testing FEV1, MIP and PEF. Participants will undergo a 6 minute walk test and a Sub-maximal exercise test (CPET) using a cycle ergometer (15W/min) until an RPE of 17. Participants continue usual life between baseline and follow up testing. Participants will have 1 call per week where MIP is measured using a Care fusion hand held spirometer device. After 4 weeks, participants will return to the Laboratory and repeat baseline testing.

Participants will arrive at the Laboratory and complete a series of questionnaires: general physical activity, BDI, TDI, PSQI, General health questionnaire, Post COVID fatigue scale, EQ 5D-5L. They will undergo spirometry testing FEV1, MIP and PEF. Participants will undergo a 6 minute walk test and a Sub-maximal exercise test (CPET) using a cycle ergometer (15W/min) until an RPE of 17. Participants undergo inspiratory muscle training for 4 weeks between baseline and follow up testing. They will be given a PrO2 device where the intervention will be 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each session will be 6x6 breaths at 80% MIP. Participants will have 1 call per week where MIP is measured using a Care fusion hand held spirometer device. After 4 weeks, participants will return to the Laboratory and repeat baseline testing.

The intervention arm will receive a handheld PrO2 device and will participate in two unsupervised sessions and one supervised via Microsoft teams sessions per week. Participants will complete 3 sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Each session will include 6 x 6 inspirations at 80% of MIP. MIP will be measured on the supervised session day each week.

Inclusion Criteria: Experiencing self reported Dyspnea (Breathlessness) following COVID-19 infection over 3 months ago. Aged between 18 and 65 Exclusion Criteria: Are pregnant Receiving treatment following a previous cardiac event (Myocardial-infarction and Non-ST elevation MI), Have a dementia diagnosis, Have a high risk of falls, Have an additional chronic respiratory disease diagnosis such as (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) COPD or CF (cystic fibrosis) Are receiving respiratory muscle training Are receiving steroid inhaler treatment