Covid-19 Virtual Recovery Study

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) and nasal breathing on patients who have been infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus and continue to have lingering symptoms.

Condition

  • Covid19

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Positive test for SARS-CoV2 within the last 3 months. - Smartphone user. - English speaker. - Age 18 or above. - US resident.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Hemodynamic instability. - Contraindications or inability to perform RMT. - Inability to navigate study questionnaires or tasks. - History of kidney disease, arteriosclerosis obliterans, and high calcium levels.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Low respiratory muscle training 		Low dose of RMT and fewer repetitions and use of RMT device per week
  • Behavioral: Low dose RMT
    10 breaths, 3 times per week, at an intensity of 3 to 4 out of 10 using the Breather device.
Experimental
Respiratory muscle training for strengthening 		Higher number of sets with a slightly lower number of repetitions per set
  • Behavioral: Strength RMT
    2 sets of 10 breaths twice per day using the breather or 3 sets of 10 breaths, twice per day using the Breather Fit
  • Behavioral: Strength RMT and nasal breathing
    2 sets of 10 breaths twice per day using the Breather or 3 sets of 10 breaths twice per day using the Breather Fit. Subjects will also be asked to complete 2 sets of 10 nasal breathing exercises either before or after the RMT exercise.
Experimental
Respiratory muscle training for strengthening and nasal breathing 		Higher number of sets with a slightly lower number of repetitions per set RMT accompanied with sets of nasal breathing
  • Behavioral: Strength RMT and nasal breathing
    2 sets of 10 breaths twice per day using the Breather or 3 sets of 10 breaths twice per day using the Breather Fit. Subjects will also be asked to complete 2 sets of 10 nasal breathing exercises either before or after the RMT exercise.
Experimental
Respiratory muscle training for endurance 		One set of RMT with a higher number of repetitions
  • Behavioral: Endurance RMT
    15 breaths twice per day using the Breather or 20 breaths twice per day using the Breather Fit
  • Behavioral: Endurance RMT and nasal breathing
    15 breaths twice per day using the Breather or 20 breaths twice per day using the Breather Fit at a lower intensity for a longer duration without break. Subjects will also perform 2 sets of 10 nasal breathing exercises either before or after the RMT exercise.
Experimental
Respiratory muscle training for endurance and nasal breathing 		One set of RMT with a higher number of repetitions accompanied with sets of nasal breathing
  • Behavioral: Endurance RMT and nasal breathing
    15 breaths twice per day using the Breather or 20 breaths twice per day using the Breather Fit at a lower intensity for a longer duration without break. Subjects will also perform 2 sets of 10 nasal breathing exercises either before or after the RMT exercise.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

NCT ID
NCT04950725
Status
Completed
Sponsor
Mayo Clinic

Detailed Description

This study will be conducted virtually and will be completed at home using a cell phone application. Study participation involves the use of a RMT device, and/or nasal breathing. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of RMT and nasal breathing on chronic symptoms of COVID-19 in patients that have recovered from SARS-CoV2. Subjects that have tested positive for the SARS-CoV2 infection and have completed a 14 to 30 day quarantine will be recruited.The RMT device will be used up to 2 times a day at a moderate intensity for 2 or 3 sets of 10 or 15 repetitions. Additionally, 2 sets of 10 nasal breathing techniques will be performed twice a day without the RMT device. Subjects will complete several surveys examining symptoms, physical activity, cognitive function, and quality of life at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Subjects will also perform phonation (speaking/speech sounds) and sit to stand tests at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. All data will be collected through the use of a cell phone application. The cell phone application will also provide subjects with the proper RMT protocol. Additionally, subjects will receive coaching and instructions on how to use the breathing device, as well as instructions on how to complete the phonation and sit to stand test.