Effect of respiratory rehabilitation on quality of life in individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Inspiratory and expiratory muscle training (RMT) has been shown to have beneficial effects in individuals with long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms.

Objective: To assess the effects of adding RMT to an aerobic exercise (AE) training program for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and exercise tolerance in individuals with long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms, and to evaluate the effects on physical and lung function, and psychological status.

Methods: 64 individuals with long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms of fatigue and dyspnoea were randomly assigned to AE+RMT or AE+RMT groups for an 8-wk intervention (AE: 50min/day, 2 times/wk; RMT: 40min/day, 3 times/wk).