The effects of breathing exercises and physical activity counseling applied for 4 weeks on the number of daily steps, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, mood and quality of life in individuals who have just had COVID-19 are not yet known. For this reason, it was aimed to investigate in this study.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, which deepened the physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, the severity and mortality effect of the virus on humans has decreased today. On the other hand, some symptoms may continue to be seen after recovery in individuals who survived COVID-19. It is known that regular physical activities increase immunity and quality of life, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and support the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. This study aimed to search effects of breathing exercises and physical activity counseling on the step counts, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, mood and quality of life in individuals with post-COVID-19.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
41
Individuals placed their hands on their lower ribs and then took 3 deep breaths under their hands in a row. After this cycle, individuals rested by taking 3-4 calm breaths. The cycle was repeated 10 times. The individual did this session 4 times a day.
Individuals were given weekly group phone calls and meetings. Individuals were gradually accustomed to regular walking to increase their daily step count. In the first week, individuals were asked to walk a total of 30-45 minutes per day, at least 4-5 days per week, and to increase the number of steps measured at the beginning by approximately 1000-2000 steps per day to reach at least 6500 steps. In the second week, the expected goal was at least 7500 steps. In the third and fourth weeks, they were asked to reach at least 10000 steps.
Izmir Democracy University
Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Daily step counts
Daily average step counts were recorded via a pedometer.
Time frame: Baseline, at the end of everyday during 4-week and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Anxiety score
The score was obtained from Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 21, with higher scores indicating increased anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Depression score
The score was obtained from Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 21, with higher scores indicating increased anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Dyspnea score
The score was obtained from Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 4; higher scores indicate increased dyspnea.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Pain score
The score was obtained from Numerical Rating Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 10, with higher scores indicating increased pain.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Fatigue score
The score was obtained from Numerical Rating Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 10, with higher scores indicating increased fatigue.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation
Quality of life score
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The score was obtained from Short-Form (SF)-36 Quality of life Questionnaire.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 100, with higher scores indicating higher quality of life.
Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation