Inspiratory Muscle Trainer and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) COVID-19 Persistent Symptoms

The current COVID-19 pandemic will place enormous pressure on healthcare systems around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate our daily lives with large numbers of people are predicted to become critically ill with acute respiratory distress syndrome and will require management in intensive care units. Unfortunately, it is expected that COVID-19 will persist as a major challenge for the delivery of medical care for a long while to go. High levels of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments can be anticipated and persist after discharging from hospitals. Growing data shows a higher risk of COVID-19 infections and complications in people with high blood pressure affecting between 30% to 50% of the patients. Intensive care unit- acquired weakness is very common after ARDS (COVID 19) which confers a major determinant of poor long-term functional, respiratory and psychological outcome. Patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are described as exhibiting oxygen levels incompatible with life with dyspnea. Pulse oximeter is valid device used to assess oxygen level in the blood as well as the pulse rate. As case numbers grow, neurological symptoms have been reported with increasing the frequency of corona virus infection, including those of autonomic dysfunction. It was reported that many patients developed postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) several months after confirmed SARSCoV- 2 infection especially those with cardiovascular risk factors. Based on knowledge from the multiple systemic complications associated with Covid-19, it is reasonable to suggest that most patients, especially those who underwent prolonged hospitalization with one or more cardiovascular risk factor, will need a multi professional rehabilitation program. Respiratory rehabilitation aims to improve quality of life by managing dyspnea, improving exercise tolerance and increasing functional capacity. After initial recovery from Covid-19, especially for those who required hospitalization in ICU, it is possible that some patients may experience respiratory muscle dysfunction, as well as pulmonary restriction or obstruction to varying extents, affecting peripheral muscle function and respiratory conditioning. Several previous studies explained that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a feasible and safe modality in patients with respiratory muscle dysfunction which approve its efficacy in enhancing respiratory muscle strength, improving aerobic capacity, and diminishing dyspnea among patients suffering from COVID 19.