WHO Recognises use of POWERbreathe IMT in COVID Recovery

10th Jun 2021 By Vanessa Potter

World Health Organisation

As the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is offering guidance on the clinical management of the COVID-19 pandemic. One recommendation for COVID recovery includes increasing exercise and fitness with Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT), such as POWERbreathe

The WHO’s COVID recovery management plan includes a series of courses developed specifically for healthcare workers that covers essential knowledge for the ‘Rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19’.

POWERbreathe IMT could help with covid recovery

“…in patients identified as having respiratory muscle impairments, respiratory muscle training may prove valuable in mitigating the health impact of future pandemics.“
Respiratory Muscle Performance Screening for Infectious Disease Management Following COVID-19

POWERbreathe IMT is drug-free and backed by science that proves the efficacy of POWERbreathe IMT for medical conditions, including recovery from COVID.

Protect the diaphragm

An unwelcome consequence of prolonged mechanical ventilation, such as in critically unwell COVID patients, is development of respiratory muscle weakness resulting from ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction, which is why medical professionals are enrolling patients into the use of POWERbreathe IMT in Pre-op, Post-op and in ICU.

photo of medical professional treating patient

“Given that respiratory muscle weakness is a primary risk factor for failure to wean from the ventilator, developing strategies to protect the diaphragm against mechanical ventilation-induced weakness has become a priority in critical care medicine. Interestingly, studies into the effects of endurance exercise training on the respiratory system have led the way.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity

Prevent diaphragm weakness

picture of POWERbreathe K-Series IMT devices

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“severe diaphragm myopathy associated with COVID-19 … may lead to diaphragm weakness and might contribute to ventilator weaning failure, persistent dyspnea and fatigue in patients with COVID-19 who survive.”
Diaphragm Pathology in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 and Postmortem Findings From 3 Medical Centers

This randomized controlled trial using the electronic POWERbreathe K-Series IMT device, finds that its use was associated with substantial inspiratory muscle strength gain and positive impacts in two very relevant clinical outcomes: the rates of ICU survival and successful weaning.

WHO recommended rehabilitation interventions

Physical exercise and fitness

“Pulmonary rehabilitation programs should be considered; however sessions may need to be modified to take infection prevention and control measures into account.”

Inspiratory muscle training increases respiratory muscle strength and endurance; decreases dyspnea; and improves quality of life and exercise tolerance. This therapy can be used alone or in combination with physical training, especially in patients with inspiratory muscle weakness.

Increasing ventilation

“Exercises that increase breathing control and support deep breathing with thoracic expansion to improve ventilation of the lower lung area.”

POWERbreathe IMT exercises the main breathing muscle – the diaphragm, which is located just below the lungs and heart. It uses the principles of resistance training to strengthen the breathing muscles. As a result, patients are able to breathe in more deeply to fully fill the lungs.