The Use of Bioacoustic Stimulation of the Respiratory System in Complex Medical Rehabilitation at a Health Resort Facility for Patients who have had COVID-associated Pneumonia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevance of rehabilitation measures for patients with COVID-associated pneumonia has increased. AIM: The study aimed to review the effect of bioacoustic stimulation of the respiratory system (BSRS) with high-intensity low-frequency sounds on the dynamics of functional indicators of the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system, as well as indicators of psychoemotional and somatic states, the severity of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and cognitive capabilities in patients who have had COVID-associated pneumonia in the process of their medical rehabilitation at a health resort immediately after treatment of the disease in a hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The randomized controlled open parallel prospective clinical study involved 28 patients undergoing medical rehabilitation after suffering moderate to severe COVID-19 complicated by community-acquired bilateral polysegmental pneumonia (COVID-associated pneumonia) of moderate to severe severity. Spirometry, pulse oximetry, compression oscillometry, bioelectrography, Mississippi Scale (civil version), and cognitive speed test were used to assess the functional parameters of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, as well as indicators of psychoemotional and somatic states, the intensity of PTSD and cognitive abilities of patients before and after the course of rehabilitation measures. RESULTS: According to significant differences in changes in the indexes of external respiration, cardiac activity, psychological status, and the intensity of PTSD in patients of the main and control groups before and after a course of rehabilitation measures, it has been reliably established that the use of BSRS as a part of a complex of rehabilitation measures significantly increases the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation at a health resort for patients after COVID-associated pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The possibility and feasibility of using medical technology of BSRS with high-intensity low-frequency sound in complex medical rehabilitation of patients after COVID-associated pneumonia at the health resort stage have been scientifically substantiated.