The effect of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients after COVID -19 coronavirus pneumonia

Introduction. The 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2) posed a serious threat to public health around the world. Postcoid syndrome (post-COVID-19 condition, according to ICD-10 code U09 State after COVID-19 or Postcoid state, Postcoid syndrome) is a pathological condition after a coronavirus infection, accompanied by cardio-respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic disorders. According to a number of studies, osteopathic methods of correction increase the lymph flow, immunological protection of the body, help to reduce pain, reduce the restriction of mobility in the chest, and therefore improve the function of external respiration. There are practically no studies that allow assessing the effect of osteopathic correction methods on the function of external respiration at the modern evidence-based level in patients who have undergone COVID pneumonia.

The aim was to study the effect of a single procedure of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients during the rehabilitation period after coronavirus pneumonia.

Materials and methods. On the basis of the Primorsky Institute of Vertebroneurology and Manual Medicine (Vladivostok) the rehabilitation of patients after coronavirus pneumonia was carried out using osteopathic correction. The study included 73 patients over the age of 60 years with varying degrees of lung damage and impaired respiratory function. To assess the function of external respiration, spirometry was performed and the vital capacity of the lungs was assessed; pulse oximetry was performed to measure the saturation of arterial blood hemoglobin with oxygen (SpO₂). Osteopathic testing and treatment were carried out according to clinical guidelines, and the biomechanics of the chest was additionally investigated. The Statistica-10 software package was used for the statistical analysis of the obtained data.

Results. Osteopathic examination revealed the presence of local somatic dysfunctions in 98,8 % of patients (spinal dysfunction, rib dysfunction, diaphragm dysfunction). 87,6 % of patients were diagnosed with regional somatic dysfunctions of thoracic region. Global somatic dysfunctions were diagnosed in 78,4 % of patients. After a single procedure of osteopathic correction, patients had a statistically significant improvement of the external respiration function, manifested in an increase in vital capacity from 78,27±2,79 to 85,36±3,38 % (p=0,0006). Also, the effectiveness of osteopathic correction is confirmed by a significant increase in the average hemoglobin saturation of arterial blood with oxygen. Thus, in patients with low SpO₂ levels, the index increased from 94,21±0,21 to 95,09±0,3 % (p=0,02). After a single osteopathic correction procedure, the number of patients with local somatic dysfunctions decreased from 98,8 to 17,7 %; global somatic dysfunctions were revealed only in 16,3 % of patients. All patients noted an improvement in their general condition, a decrease in symptoms of respiratory discomfort and shortness of breath, and an increase in chest excursion.

Conclusion. A single procedure of somatic dysfunctions' osteopathic correction in patients after coronavirus pneumonia leads to a statistically significant improvement in respiratory function. The vital capacity and the oxygen saturation of the blood increase in patients. This is caused by the increase of the mobility of the chest (increase in its excursion), diaphragm, ribs, spine. The obtained results allow recommend the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the rehabilitation programs for patients who have undergone coronavirus infection.

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