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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
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.
Suellen Andrade, pHD
João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
RECRUITINGMaximal inspiratory pressure
Maximal inspiratory pressure response to inspiratory muscle training in association with diaphragmatic motor cortex neurostimulation
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
Functional capacity
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.
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
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
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
Inflammatory biomarkers
Correlate levels of inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) with inspiratory muscle training and/or diaphragmatic motor cortex neurostimulation
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
Body composition by bioelectrical impedance
Body composition analysis (body fat composition, muscle mass composition, body mass index) will be carried out by bioelectrical impedance analysis
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
Depression level with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (score 0 to 58)
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.
Time frame: From date of randomization (2 weeks before intervention beginning) and up to 10 weeks (T1)
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