Cahalan Roisin M, Meade Ciara, Mockler Sarah
School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Physical Activity for Health Research Cluster, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick Ireland.
Can J Respir Ther. 2022 Mar 9;58:20-27. doi: 10.29390/cjrt-2021-074. eCollection 2022.
Management of Long COVID (LC) is hugely challenging for clinicians. This pilot study evaluated a breathing retraining and singing programme (SingStrong for LC) to address common LC symptoms. The study hypothesized that this intervention would improve symptoms impacting disordered breathing and participant wellbeing.
The 10-week, bi-weekly online programme was comprised of a 45-min class of mindfulness, breathing retraining, vocal exercises, and singing. Sessions were recorded for non-attenders and conducted by a trained vocal coach experienced in respiratory cohorts. Persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and persisting symptoms were invited to participate. Demographic and COVID-19 data were collected, and the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire Short Form (DSQ- SF) and COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehab Screen questionnaires were administered. Post-intervention focus groups were also conducted.
Of 27 ( = 23(85%)) participants recruited, data from 21 who completed at least 10 (50%) classes were analysed. Participants showed significant pre-post-intervention improvements in all breathlessness symptoms (at rest: < 0.001; dressing: = 0.01; stairs: < 0.001), fatigue ( = 0.03), usual activities ( = 0.04), pain/disability ( = 0.03), voice quality ( = 0.01), and communication/cognition ( = 0.04). Pre-post number of instances meeting DSQ-SF criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) decreased by a net of nine cases (14.3%). No association between COVID-19 hospitalisation status and diagnosis of ME/CFS was identified. Qualitative feedback from eight participants was overwhelmingly positive with all reporting improvements in breathing and general well-being.
The SingStrong programme shows promise as a viable treatment option for LC sufferers. Future studies are required to further investigate the efficacy of this intervention.
对于临床医生而言，长期新冠（LC）的管理极具挑战性。这项试点研究评估了一项呼吸再训练与歌唱计划（针对LC的“唱得有力”计划），以解决常见的LC症状。该研究假设，这种干预措施将改善影响呼吸紊乱和参与者幸福感的症状。
这个为期10周、每两周一次的在线计划包括一堂45分钟的正念、呼吸再训练、发声练习和歌唱课程。课程会为未参加者录制，由一位在呼吸病群体方面经验丰富的训练有素的声乐教练授课。邀请确诊感染新冠且症状持续的人参与。收集了人口统计学和新冠数据，并发放了德保罗症状问卷简表（DSQ-SF）和新冠约克郡康复筛查问卷。干预后还进行了焦点小组讨论。
在招募的27名参与者中（n = 23（85%）），分析了21名至少完成10节（50%）课程者的数据。参与者在所有呼吸急促症状（休息时：p < 0.001；穿衣时：p = 0.01；爬楼梯时：p < 0.001）、疲劳（p = 0.03）、日常活动（p = 0.04）、疼痛/残疾（p = 0.03）、嗓音质量（p = 0.01）以及沟通/认知（p = 0.04）方面，干预前后有显著改善。符合DSQ-SF标准的肌痛性脑脊髓炎（ME）和慢性疲劳综合征（CFS）的病例数在干预前后净减少了9例（14.3%）。未发现新冠住院状态与ME/CFS诊断之间存在关联。八名参与者的定性反馈总体上是积极的，所有人都报告呼吸和总体幸福感有所改善。
“唱得有力”计划显示出有望成为LC患者可行的治疗选择。未来需要进一步研究该干预措施的疗效。
