Finnish Innovation helps battling Corona infection

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) with steam inhalation offers a new regime for battling the Coronavirus infection. RMT can strengthen the lungs to better resist the disease (1) and to recover faster from the disease (2). To prevent the severe symptoms, you may get beneficial effects even after five days’ training (1). Stronger breathing muscles can also help coping with the breathing masks.

According to the scientific evidence, humidity and temperature can weaken infectivity of the respiratory viruses and thus decrease morbidity. Also, SARS-CoV2 on nasal secretions has been shown to be sensitive to the environment’s heat and humidity (3).

The device developed in Finland (WellO2) combines counter pressure breathing and steam inhalation and is ideal for rehabilitation of the respiratory system by strengthening lung function. It also improves the defence mechanisms of the respiratory mucosa against viruses by increasing the temperature and humidity in the airways.

The slow recovery from the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus often seems to be associated with lung dysfunction, which can take up to several months without rehabilitation. Respiratory rehabilitation has been shown to significantly improve respiratory function, anxiety, and quality of life in people over 65 who recover from infection (2).

Studies show that counter-pressure breathing exercises promote recovery from lung infection caused by COVID-19 disease. Respiratory training would be particularly important for those at risk, over the age of 70, and for those with a chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD (4). Faster recovery is also important socio-economically since the disease causes not only human suffering but also a significant economic loss in the form of hospitalizations and sick leave. It is estimated that one day of illness will cost about 350 euros.

References:

1. Severin R., et al. Respiratory Muscle Performance Screening for Infectious Disease Management Following COVID-19: A Highly Pressurized Situation. The American Journal of Medicine (2020) 000:1−8.
2. Liu K., et al. Respiratory rehabilitation in elderly patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 39 (2020) 101166.
3. Matson JM et al. Effect of environmental conditions on SARS-CoV-2 stability in human nasal mucus and sputum. Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 26, No. 9, September 2020
4. Six breathing exercises to protect against corona - Summary of the article in Helsingin Sanomat 10.11.2020 https://www.epressi.com/tiedotteet/terveys/six-breathing-exercises-to-protect-against-corona-summary-of-the-article-in-helsingin-sanomat.html?customer=4268. The original article: https://www.hs.fi/hyvinvointi/art-2000007610284.html
5. Breathing exercises are helpful in Covid-19 disease. Helsingin Sanomat 2.11.2020 https://www.hs.fi/mielipide/art-2000006707773.html. English translation: https://www.epressi.com/tiedotteet/terveys/breathing-exercises-are-helpful-in-covid-19-disease.html?customer=4268