The American journal of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Unravelling the Mechanisms Behind Exercise Intolerance and Recovery in Long COVID.
Patients suffering from long COVID may exhibit autonomic dysregulation. However, the association between autonomic dysregulation and exercise intolerance and the impact of therapeutic interventions on its modulation remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between heart rate recovery at the first minute (HRR1), a proxy for autonomic imbalance, and exercise intolerance in patients with long COVID. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week home-based inspiratory muscle training program on autonomic modulation in this patient population. ⋯ Lower baseline HRR1 is associated with exercise intolerance in long COVID patients and may serve as a valuable criterion for identifying individuals likely to benefit more from a home-based inspiratory muscle training program.
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Autonomic dysfunction, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), has been reported in individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). However, the degree of dysautonomia in PASC has not been compared to those with POTS and healthy controls. ⋯ The prevalence of autonomic symptomology for POTS was high in those with PASC, leading to poor HrQoL and high health disutility. Autonomic testing should be routinely undertaken in those with PASC to aid diagnosis and direct appropriate management to improve health outcomes.