Gentle Respiratory Exercise vs Incentive Spirometry in Patients with COVID Pneumonia: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Respiratory therapy is an important component of care in patients with COVID and other infective
causes of pneumonia with possible long term benefits. While various types of respiratory exercises can be done in
this situation, studies comparing the various forms of chest physiotherapy are limited. It is important to identify a
simple lung exercise which is tolerated well to ensure its regular practise.
Aim: To compare tolerability of gentle respiratory exercise and incentive spirometry in non- critical patients with
COVID pneumonia.
Methods: An observational study was undertaken between May 2021 to June 2021 in patients admitted to ward
with COVID pneumonia. Demographic and clinical details of the patients were noted. The number of attempts of
both type of exercises and their tolerance were recorded and compared.
Results: 142 patients underwent gentle respiratory exercise and 57 patients underwent incentive spirometry.
There was no difference in age, sex, comorbidities, oxygen requirement or HRCT score in either groups. The
number of exercise attempts tolerated in gentle respiratory exercise group was significantly higher than the
incentive spirometry group (p= 0.027).
Conclusion: Gentle respiratory exercises are tolerated better by patients with mild / moderate COVID-19
pneumonia compared to incentive spirometry.