The Comparison of the Effectiveness of Respiratory Physiotherapy Plus Myofascial Release Therapy Versus Respiratory Physiotherapy Alone on Cardiorespiratory Parameters in Patients With COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Respiratory involvement is a common consequence of COVID-19; changes in cardiorespiratory parameters of these patients during respiratory rehabilitation program are very important. Previous studies showed that myofascial release therapy (MFRT) could affect the respiratory muscle and adjunct fascia. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MFRT techniques and respiratory physiotherapy, in comparison with respiratory physiotherapy alone, on improving cardiorespiratory parameter in patients with COVID-19. SETTING: A hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, from February to July 2021. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients with COVID-19 participated in this study. RESEARCH DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized control design. INTERVENTION: The patients with COVID-19 randomly assigned to an intervention group who received respiratory physiotherapy combined with MFRT or a control group receiving respiratory physiotherapy alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, chest expansion, and ease of breathing were assessed at baseline and after the first and third session of treatment. Dyspnea and fatigue perception and 6-minute walking were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment. Patient’s thoughts about the treatment were examined through the 4-point Likert scale. RESULTS: The ANOVAs found significant time effect for ease of breathing, dyspnea perception (F = 32.33, p < .01 and F = 11.72, p < .01, respectively). Also significant time by group interaction was found for chest expansion at xiphoid level (F = 4.02, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided evidence that both programs could result in improving ease of breathing and dyspnea perception, although the inclusion of MFR techniques into a respiratory physiotherapy program did not result in better outcomes in cardiorespiratory function of patients with COVID-19.