Association of Inspiratory Muscle Training With HD-tDCS for Assistance to Patients With Long Covid-19

Effects of an Inspiratory Muscle Training Protocol Associated With Neurological Stimulation by HD-tDCS on the Diaphragmatic Cortex in Post-COVID-19 Subjects

COVID-19 is an infectious disease which presents a heterogenous clinical presentation. Recent investigations suggest that people who were infected by COVID-19 often develop physical disabilities (i.e. pain, fatigue), neurological complications and and mainly disorders of the respiratory system, such as respiratory muscle weakness after hospital discharge. Many therapeutic approaches such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been proposed to minimize functional and structural impairments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training associated with stimulation of the diaphragmatic motor cortex through hd-tdcs in post-COVID-19 patients on inspiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, inflammatory levels and functional capacity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had a medical diagnosis of COVID-19, clinically stable, able to respond to simple commands, able to walk for six minutes and who sign study consent form will be enrolled.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those who present associated neurological diseases, pregnant, users of psychoactive drugs, patients who have metallic implants, electronic devices, pacemakers, or epileptic patients will be excluded.