| Abstract |
Purpose: This study was designed to determine the effects of respiratory training on the respiratory function and quality
of life of a patient with post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with cervical spinal cord injury. Methods: A case study
design was used. A patient with post-COVID-19 with cervical spinal cord injury was enrolled and received general
rehabilitation therapy (5 days per week). The Tri-ball incentive spirometry training was performed 5 times a week for 20
min for 8 weeks, gradually increasing the intensity and frequency according to the patient’s condition. The respiratory
function was evaluated using spirometry, and the patient’s quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short Form
Health Survey (SF-36) before and 4 and 8 weeks after training. Results: After training, the respiratory function
parameters, particularly forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF),
increased. The SF-36 score remarkably increased after training. Conclusion: The results of the application of incentive
spirometry training to a patient with post-COVID-19 with cervical spinal cord injury showed that respiratory training is
important for improving the respiratory function and quality of life. |