SingStrong—A singing and breathing retraining intervention for respiratory and other common symptoms of long COVID: A pilot study

Cahalan, Róisín; Meade, Ciara; Mockler, Sarah

doi:10.29390/cjrt-2021-074

Cited by 18 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Because it can be completed in approximately 5 min, it can easily be implemented in a routine clinical setting for screening purposes ( 15 , 16 ). The DSQ-SF has been translated into many languages and is being used as an outcome measure in a PASC clinical trial in Ireland ( 17 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Long COVID symptoms over one year

et al. 2023

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ImportanceEarly and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID, clinically known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), may mitigate progression to chronic diseases such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Our objective was to determine the utility of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess the frequency and severity of common symptoms of ME/CFS, to diagnose and monitor symptoms in patients with PASC.MethodsThis prospective, observational cohort study enrolled 185 people that included 34 patients with PASC that had positive COVID-19 test and persistent symptoms of >3 months and 151 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS. PASC patients were followed over 1 year and responded to the DSQ at baseline and 12 months. ME/CFS patients responded to the DSQ at baseline and 1 year later. Changes in symptoms over time were analyzed using a fixed-effects model to compute difference-in-differences estimates between baseline and 1-year follow-up assessments.ParticipantsPatients were defined as having PASC if they had a previous positive COVID-19 test, were experiencing symptoms of fatigue, post-exertional malaise, or other unwellness for at least 3 months, were not hospitalized for COVID-19, had no documented major medical or psychiatric diseases prior to COVID-19, and had no other active and untreated disease processes that could explain their symptoms. PASC patients were recruited in 2021. ME/CFS patients were recruited in 2017.ResultsAt baseline, patients with PASC had similar symptom severity and frequency as patients with ME/CFS and satisfied ME/CFS diagnostic criteria. ME/CFS patients experienced significantly more severe unrefreshing sleep and flu-like symptoms. Five symptoms improved significantly over the course of 1 year for PASC patients including fatigue, post-exertional malaise, brain fog, irritable bowel symptoms and feeling unsteady. In contrast, there were no significant symptom improvements for ME/CFS patients.Conclusion and relevanceThere were considerable similarities between patients with PASC and ME/CFS at baseline. However, symptoms improved for PASC patients over the course of a year but not for ME/CFS patients. PASC patients with significant symptom improvement no longer met ME/CFS clinical diagnostic criteria. These findings indicate that the DSQ can be used to reliably assess and monitor PASC symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improvement of Long COVID symptoms over one year

et al. 2023

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“…Specifically, in the 3 pretest studies, 27 (adults from Ireland) [ 20 ], 10 (adults living in underserved communities in the United Kingdom) [ 24 ], and 7 (adults in Austria) [ 4 ] participants took part, and from pre- to postintervention, 5 [ 20 ], 2 [ 24 ], and 0 [ 4 ] participants dropped out. Thus, the dropout rates were 0%-20%.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the 3 pretest studies, post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms were defined as persisting respiratory symptoms after a COVID-19 infection (>28 days) [ 20 ], as persisting symptoms that resulted from a COVID-19 infection [ 24 ], and as fatigue symptoms after a COVID-19 infection [ 4 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, besides telerehabilitation and specific symptoms, it is still unknown which digital interventions can help patients to recover from other post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms. This paper therefore addresses this gap and includes a broader spectrum of symptoms beyond dyspnea and the unrefined characteristics of functional performance [ 17 - 20 ]. Accordingly, the research question is as follows: What evidence-based digital interventions exist to help manage physical and mental health in patients with post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Digital Interventions for Treating Post-COVID or Long-COVID Symptoms: Scoping Review

Rinn¹,

Gao²,

Schoeneich³

et al. 2023

J Med Internet Res

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Background Patients with post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms need support, and health care professionals need to be able to provide evidence-based patient care. Digital interventions can meet these requirements, especially if personal contact is limited. Objective We reviewed evidence-based digital interventions that are currently available to help manage physical and mental health in patients with post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms. Methods A scoping review was carried out summarizing novel digital health interventions for treating post-COVID/long-COVID patients. Using the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) scheme, original studies were summarized, in which patients with post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms used digital interventions to help aid recovery. Results From all scanned articles, 8 original studies matched the inclusion criteria. Of the 8 studies, 3 were “pretest” studies, 3 described the implementation of a telerehabilitation program, 1 was a post-COVID/long-COVID program, and 1 described the results of qualitative interviews with patients who used an online peer-support group. Following the PICO scheme, we summarized previous studies. Studies varied in terms of participants (P), ranging from adults in different countries, such as former hospitalized patients with COVID-19, to individuals in disadvantaged communities in the United Kingdom, as well as health care workers. In addition, the studies included patients who had previously been infected with COVID-19 and who had ongoing symptoms. Some studies focused on individuals with specific symptoms, including those with either post–COVID-19 or long-term symptoms, while other studies included patients based on participation in online peer-support groups. The interventions (I) also varied. Most interventions used a combination of psychological and physical exercises, but they varied in duration, frequency, and social dimensions. The reviewed studies investigated the physical and mental health conditions of patients with post-COVID/long-COVID symptoms. Most studies had no control (C) group, and most studies reported outcomes (O) or improvements in physiological health perception, some physical conditions, fatigue, and some psychological aspects such as depression. However, some studies found no improvements in bowel or bladder problems, concentration, short-term memory, unpleasant dreams, physical ailments, perceived bodily pain, emotional ailments, and perceived mental health. Conclusions More systematic research with larger sample sizes is required to overcome sampling bias and include health care professionals’ perspectives, as well as help patients mobilize support from health care professionals and social network partners. The evidence so far suggests that patients should be provided with digital interventions to manage symptoms and reintegrate into everyday life, including work.

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“…Specifically benefits have been associated with neurotransmitter and hormonal changes, including the upregulation of oxytocin, immunoglobulin A and endorphins, increased respiratory muscle strength, mucociliary airway clearance and optimized breathing modes. 18 , 19 Preliminary data regarding the positive role of singing rehabilitation in Long COVID‐19 20 on pulmonary function also suggests singing is a worthy pursuit for all recovering from COVID and indeed the door to improved wellbeing in these challenging times for all those who find joy in singing ( Video 1 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Singing in and out of COVID

Phyland

2022

Respirology

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SingStrong—A singing and breathing retraining intervention for respiratory and other common symptoms of long COVID: A pilot study

Cited by 18 publications

References 30 publications

Improvement of Long COVID symptoms over one year

Improvement of Long COVID symptoms over one year

Digital Interventions for Treating Post-COVID or Long-COVID Symptoms: Scoping Review

Singing in and out of COVID

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