COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, can cause lung complications such as pneumonia and, in the most severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. Sepsis, another possible complication of COVID-19, can also cause lasting harm to the lungs and other organs. While most people recover from pneumonia of various causes without any lasting lung damage, pneumonia associated with COVID-19 may be severe. Even after the disease has passed, lung injury may result in breathing difficulties that might take months to improve. The sooner patients are put on a pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19, the quicker and more fully their lung function is restored, and, consequently, the function of the central nervous system, muscle, gastrointestinal, and other organ systems that affected by coronavirus infection restored too.
COVID-19 ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is part of the coronavirus family.
When the virus gets in your body, it comes into contact with the mucous membranes that line your nose, mouth, and eyes. The virus enters a healthy cell and uses the cell to make new virus parts. It multiplies, and the new viruses infect nearby cells.
Think of your respiratory tract as an upside-down tree. The trunk is your trachea or windpipe. It splits into smaller and smaller branches in your lungs. At the end of each branch are tiny air sacs called alveoli. This is where oxygen goes into your blood and carbon dioxide comes out.
As the infection travels the respiratory tract, then the immune system fights back. The lungs and airways swell and become inflamed. This can start in the alveoli of one part of the lung and spread to the nearby alveoli of other parts.
In pneumonia, air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid, limiting their ability to take in oxygen and causing shortness of breath, cough, and other symptoms.
Doctors can see signs of respiratory inflammation on a chest X-ray or CT scan.
On a chest CT, they may see something they call “ground-glass opacity” because it looks like the frosted glass on a shower door.
(a) Axial thin-section non-contrast CT scan shows diffuse bilateral confluent and patchy ground-glass (solid arrows) and consolidative (dashed arrows) pulmonary opacities. (b) The disease in the right middle and lower lobes has a striking peripheral distribution (arrow). [Radiological Society of North America].
THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 IN SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP
The effect of COVID-19 will vary greatly over the course of the disease, with most people experiencing some of the following symptoms:
- fever,
- cough, sputum production, shortness of breath,
- fatigue,
- anorexia,
- myalgia,
- central nervous system manifestations (such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, and ataxia),
- and peripheral nervous system manifestations (such as nerve pain, speech, vision, and taste problems).
While some of these symptoms may resolve naturally, some people may have impairments that persist; particularly following a prolonged hospital and ICU stay.
Doctors in Hong Kong (March 13, 2020) reported the findings of the first follow-up clinics of recovered Covid-19 patients. They suppose that some recovered patients have lost between 20% to 30% of their previous lung function (South China Morning Post). The doctors report that lung scans of recovered patients also reveal substantial lung damage.
Researchers had revealed that at the six weeks after hospital discharge, more than half of the patients had at least one persistent symptom, predominantly breathlessness and coughing, and CT scans still showed lung damage in 88% of patients. However, by the time of 12 weeks after discharge, the symptoms had improved and lung damage was reduced to 56% (COVID-19 Patients Suffer Long-Term Lung and Heart Damage – But They Can Recover With Time – By European Lung Foundation, September 7, 2020). There’s the initial injury to the lungs, followed by scarring. Over time, the tissue heals, but it can take three months to a year or more for a person’s lung function to return to pre-COVID-19 levels.
In the recovery period, people with COVID-19 may be expected to present with significant muscle wasting in both the locomotor and respiratory muscles. This may contribute to ongoing breathlessness and fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, poor balance, and loss of functional independence (Rehabilitation following COVID-19 in the pulmonary rehabilitation setting. JUNE 2020. Respiratory Network).
PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AFTER COVID-19
Changes in the anatomical and physiological properties of the tissues and organs of the chest as a result of the disease (decreased elasticity of the lungs, chest tissues, etc.) lead to an increase in the energy cost of ventilation. The work of the respiratory muscles, aimed at overcoming elastic and bronchial resistance, increases significantly. The increase in the energy cost of ventilation and the depletion of the respiratory muscles form the basis of shortness of breath and a feeling of lack of air – a complex of sensations that is put into the concept of “shortness of breath”. Many pulmonary diseases lead to a decrease in the respiratory surface of the lungs and the development of such ventilation disorders as a restrictive syndrome. The decrease in lung volumes is caused not only by the hardening of the lung tissue but the limitation of the mobility of the lung itself due to the development of adhesions that prevent it from expanding. With concomitant pleural inflammation, there is a deliberate limitation of the chest excursion due to severe pain syndrome.
The tasks of exercise therapy in pulmonology are to achieve regression of reversible and stabilize irreversible changes in the lungs, the formation of compensation, and normalization of function.
- General tonic effect: stimulation of metabolic processes, increase in neuropsychic tone, recovery, and increase of tolerance to physical activity, stimulation of immune processes;
- Preventive effect: mastery of breathing control technique, an increase of the protective function of the respiratory tract, reduction of intoxication;
- Pathogenic (therapeutic) effect: improvement of external respiration functions, correction of the “mechanics” of breathing, acceleration of resorption in inflammatory processes, improvement of bronchial patency, removal, or reduction of bronchospasm, regulation of external respiration functions and increase in its reserves.
In exercise therapy classes for respiratory pathology, the following are used:
- general tonic exercises, which improve the function of all organs and systems, activate breathing (moderate and high-intensity exercises are used to stimulate external respiration functions; low-intensity exercises do not have a training effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems);
- special (breathing) exercises that strengthen the respiratory muscles, increase the mobility of the chest and diaphragm; promote stretching of pleural adhesions; reduce congestion in the respiratory system, facilitate sputum excretion, improve the respiratory mechanism, coordination of breathing and movement;
- various methods of breathing gymnastics aimed at correcting the prevailing pathological process;
- in order to relax tense muscle groups, autogenous training, post-isometric muscle relaxation technique, physical exercises to relax associative and segmental muscles, therapeutic massage using myofascial release techniques, segmental reflex massage can be used. Taking into account myofascial changes in muscles, the most effective physical exercises are movements with the participation of segmental and associative muscles.
Performing breathing exercises requires compliance with the basic laws of breathing:
- before any physical activity it is necessary to remove residual air from the lungs, for which it is necessary to exhale through the lips folded into a tube;
- inhalation is mainly (80%) carried out by the diaphragm, while the muscles of the shoulder girdle should be relaxed;
- the duration of the exhalation should be approximately 1.5-2 times longer than the inhalation;
- inhalation is carried out when the chest is extended, exhalation – when it is compressed (for example, when bending over).
The exhalation is usually carried out by relaxing the muscles involved in inhalation, under the influence of the gravity of the chest, i.e. delayed exhalation occurs with the dynamic inferior work of these muscles. Removal of air from the lungs is provided by the elastic forces of the lung tissue.
Forced exhalation occurs when the muscles that produce the exhalation contract; strengthening of exhalation is achieved by tilting the head forward, bringing the shoulders together, lowering the arms, flexion of the trunk, raising the legs forward. With breathing exercises, you can freely change the breathing rate.
More often, exercises are used in a voluntary slowing down of the respiratory rate (in this case it is recommended to count to oneself): the exercise reduces the speed of air movement and reduces the resistance to its passage through the airways. Increased breathing frequency increases breathing speed. Learning to consciously regulate breathing begins with static exercises; use exercises in rhythmic static breathing, which leads to a decrease in respiratory movements due to their deepening, while the strength of the respiratory muscles increases and the intercostal muscles are toned.
Breathing with additional resistance (inhalation through lips folded into a tube, through a tube, inflation of rubber toys) reduces the frequency and increases the depth of breathing, activates the work of the respiratory muscles. It is recommended to breathe through the nose, as this moistens and purifies the inhaled air; irritation of the receptors of the upper respiratory tract reflexively expands the bronchioles, deepens breathing, and increases blood oxygen saturation.
If necessary, to spare the affected lung, apply the initial positions that limit the mobility of the chest from the affected side (lying on the affected side).
Using weights in the form of sandbags when performing breathing exercises helps to strengthen the abdominal muscles, intercostal muscles, and increase the mobility of the diaphragm.
For dosing physical activity, a change in the initial position, pace, amplitude, degree of muscle tension, the number and duration of the exercises performed, rest pauses, and relaxation exercises are used.
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The Breather functions as both an inspiratory muscle trainer and expiratory muscle trainer with adjustable dials for independent resistance settings for inhalation and exhalation, making it the ULTIMATE device for respiratory care. Think of it as a lung trainer, supporting respiratory health and efficiency by promoting diaphragmatic (belly) breathing. - DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE OXYGEN FLOW.
This inspiratory exerciser benefits those who are undergoing respiratory treatment. The Breather is a respiratory trainer or respiratory exerciser that improves lung strength and capacity by improving oxygen uptake to vital organs. - DRUG-FREE THERAPY FOR COPD, CHF, AND DYSPHAGIA
The Breather is used by those affected by COPD, CHF, dysphagia, and neuromuscular disease. Continued use has shown to improve dyspnea, peak cough flow, laryngeal function, QOL, vent weaning, and speech and swallowing performance. - ONLINE VIDEOS AND A DEDICATED MOBILE APP.
PN Medical, creators of The Breather, offer a self-paced, online video protocol training for therapists; patients, and consumers. Additionally, with the Breather Coach mobile app, you can track and monitor your progress from your phone. - There are 5 expiratory and 6 inspiratory adjustable independent pressure settings. So you can adjust the resistance on each inhalation and each exhalation. The higher the setting, the higher the resistance.
CLINICAL BENEFITS
The Breather exercise optimizes the blood flow to your working muscles, increasing your performance capacity, and extending your limits of exercise. It improves the strength of your diaphragm and other respiratory muscles while maximizing lung function. The exercise strengthens your cardiac system and circulation, thereby reducing your blood pressure and improving your sleep.
Special techniques of breathing exercises are used:
Sound gymnastics – special breathing exercises, consisting of pronouncing consonant sounds in a certain way – buzzing (zh, z), sibilant and hissing (s, f, ts, ch, sh), growling (r) and their combinations. In this case, the vibration of the vocal cords is transmitted to the smooth muscles of the bronchi, lungs, chest, relaxing the spasmodic bronchi and bronchioles. The goal of sound gymnastics is to develop the correct ratio of inhalation and exhalation – 1: 2 (1.5). All sounds should be pronounced in a strictly defined way, depending on the purpose of gymnastics. For example, in bronchial asthma, buzzing, growling, hissing sounds are pronounced loudly, energetically, exciting, and in chronic obstructive bronchitis with severe respiratory failure – softly, quietly, acceptable in a whisper (soothing).
Method of volitional elimination of deep breathing (VEDB) K.P. Buteyko – the technique was developed by the Novosibirsk doctor K.P. Buteyko in 1960 and is aimed at volitional correction of incorrect (deep) breathing with a gradual complete rejection of it, since deep breathing causes a lack of carbon dioxide in the blood, a change in the acid-base state towards alkalosis and tissue hypoxia (with a lack of carbon dioxide in the body, oxygen firmly binds to hemoglobin and does not enter cells and tissues). The main tasks of the VEDB method are:
- to normalize the ratio of inhalation and exhalation,
- to reduce the speed and depth of inhalation,
- to develop a compensatory pause after a long and calm exhalation,
- to normalize the carbon dioxide content in the blood,
- to reduce the number of asthma attacks, to prevent their occurrence.
Paradoxical breathing exercises help relieve an attack of suffocation. Gymnastics is called “paradoxical” because inhalation and exhalation are performed simultaneously with the movements of the arms, trunk, and legs, which complicate this phase of breathing. When the chest is compressed, inhalation is made, when the chest expands, exhale. The inhalation should be short, sharp, noisy, active, forced by the diaphragm; exhalation occurs passively, spontaneously. Inhalation is carried out only through the nose, exhalation independently, passively (so that it is not audible), preferably through the mouth, you should not delay exhalation. The mechanism of action of paradoxical respiratory gymnastics on the body consists of restoring disturbed nasal breathing, improving the drainage function of the bronchi, activating the work of the diaphragm and chest muscles. Gymnastics promotes the resorption of inflammatory formations, the restoration of normal lymph and blood supply, the elimination of local congestion. Elimination of morphological changes in the bronchopulmonary system enhances gas exchange in the alveoli, tissue respiration, and leads to an increase in oxygen absorption by tissues, which has a positive effect on metabolic processes. The coordination of breathing and movement helps to restore the regulation of breathing by the central nervous system, improves the psychoemotional state, and has a general tonic effect.
Modern oriental respiratory systems, which are currently popular (qigong, tai chi, hatha yoga, etc.) are based on voluntary regulation of the depth and frequency of breathing, control of the correct ratio of inhalation and exhalation. In this case, the active participation of the diaphragm in the breathing process, as well as training in concentration and relaxation, are required. It is important to learn certain types of breathing (upper chest, costal, diaphragmatic) and full breathing. Eastern breathing techniques are mainly distributed by enthusiasts and are used in alternative medicine, since these breathing techniques also carry a philosophical meaning with the ultimate goal of achieving harmony and gaining full health on their own, using the body’s hidden reserves and willpower.
The criterion for determining whether a given technique is appropriate is the state of health after exercise. In general, all physical exercise, in addition to directly improving peripheral muscle function, improves motivation, improves mood, reduces symptoms of illness, and has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
For people with COVID-19 presenting for pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19, it is important to consider that with the reduced gas transfer, exercise desaturation may occur. Therefore, monitoring of oxygen saturation and use of supplemental oxygen may be necessary during pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19, including physical and psychological components, should be available for patients as soon as possible and it should continue for weeks if not months after they have been discharged from the hospital in order to give patients the best chances of a good recovery. Thus, the risk of patient disability after suffering pneumonia is reduced.
THE ROLE OF RESPIRATORY (BREATHING) AND HRV BIOFEEDBACK IN PULMONARY REHABILITATION AFTER COVID-19
Respiratory (breathing) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback is a relatively new method of teaching people to change the parameters of respiration and cardiac activity. Recent research indicates the effectiveness of these biofeedback modalities in the treatment of many medical and psychological conditions, including:
– anxiety disorders,
– depression,
– asthma,
– chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
– cardiovascular diseases,
– cardiac rehabilitation,
– hypertension of various origins,
– chronic fatigue,
– chronic muscle pain,
– post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
– insomnia
– and other conditions, as well as to improve performance and professional efficiency.
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, breathing and HRV biofeedback have found widespread use in pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19.
Breathing and HRV biofeedback is not a separate form of therapy/training, but part of a larger multimodal team approach to pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19.
What is the mechanism of action and effectiveness of breathing and HRV biofeedback in pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19?
The HRV biofeedback technique includes training in breathing at the resonant frequency of the cardiovascular system. Breathing at this rate causes the heart rate to increase and decrease in the same phase with breathing. The heart rate increases with inhalation and decreases with exhalation. Then the efficiency of gas exchange in the respiratory tract is maximal. The higher the HRV indicator (that is, the greater the difference in heart rate during inhalation and exhalation), the higher the degree of organism adaptation to the different external and internal stressors influence.
HRV biofeedback stimulates a specific reflex in the cardiovascular system, which has a specific rhythm. It is called “baroreflex” and helps control blood pressure. It also helps control emotional reactivity and improves breathing efficiency. Baroreflex is controlled by the nucleus of the solitary tract located in the brainstem. This center communicates directly with the amygdala, the center of emotional control, through a pathway through the islet. It is perhaps for this reason that various studies have shown the beneficial effects of respiratory biofeedback and HRV in the treatment of anxiety, phobias, and depression.
When blood pressure goes up, the baroreflex causes the heart rate to go down, and when blood pressure goes down, the heart rate goes up. This causes a rhythm in heart rate fluctuations. When a person breathes at this exact rhythm (which varies among people, generally between 4.5 and 6.5 times a minute), the baroreflex system resonates.
How to find the frequency for each person at which the baroreflex system resonates?
This will be the frequency that produces the biggest swings in heart rate between inhaling and exhaling. To find this frequency person should try to breathe at various rates per minute to find the exact frequency at which the cardiovascular system resonates. This will be his/her resonance breathing frequency. This frequency varied from individual to individual, but it is approximately 0.1 Hz or six breaths per minute. When people breathe at this frequency, the baroreflex system is stimulated and strengthened, and through projections to other systems in the body (e.g., inflammatory and limbic systems), other events occur that produce the many beneficial effects of HRV biofeedback. These changes are achieved with the help of HRV biofeedback training.
Controlled breathing at a rate of about six breaths per minute enhances internal regulation and creates a balanced respiratory cycle that causes pronounced fluctuations in the autonomic nervous system: from parasympathetic to sympathetic and back with each respiratory cycle. HRV is a measure of the continuous interaction of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on heart rate, which provides information about autonomic flexibility and thus represents the ability to respond in a regulated manner. Resonance of the baroreflex circuit induces maximal respiratory sinus arrhythmia, which causes severe fluctuations in vascular tone, heart rate, and blood pressure. This ideal balance of relaxation and alertness restores homeostatic function, optimizes neurovisceral integration, promotes efficient gas exchange in the lungs, reduces pain perception, stimulates anti-inflammatory processes, and increases resistance to physical and emotional stress.
Thus, patients with COVID-19 are advised to breathe under control at a rate of six breaths per minute in the early stages of the disease to promote beneficial neuromodulation and prevent vascular and immuno-inflammatory complications.
Pulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19, which includes breathing and HRV biofeedback in the complex rehabilitation program accelerates the process of restoration of lung function, muscle (both respiratory and skeletal muscles) tone, gastrointestinal tract function, psychoemotional state and has a preventive effect on the development of pulmonary complications after the coronavirus infection.
HOME-USE PERSONAL BIOFEEDBACK DEVICES FOR PULMONARY REHABILITATION AFTER COVID-19
Today, thanks to the development of technology, there are many HRV and breathing biofeedback devices for personal use at home.
A variety of companies have developed and presented a range of commercial products ranging from $ 80 to $ 200.
The main requirement for HRV and breathing biofeedback devices for personal use are: the equipment must have a sensor for measuring heart rate (heart rate variability) using an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a respiration sensor using a breathing belt (recording the respiratory rate).
The most effective home-use device for breathing and HRV biofeedback is the eSense Respiration and eSense Pulse HRV Biofeedback devices that allow providing individual training in home comfort.
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