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COVID-19 PneumoniaRECOVID-EXNCT07656610

Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercise in Women Recovering From COVID-19 Pneumonia

A study testing Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercise in people with COVID-19 Pneumonia and Respiratory Symptoms, run by Hitit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training and walking exercise on selected blood, respiratory, functional, dyspnea, sleep quality, and quality-of-life outcomes in women who had recovered from COVID-19-related lung inflammation/pneumonia. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 45 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
COVID-19 Pneumonia, Respiratory Symptoms
What is being tested?
Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercise
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
80 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
16 Jan 2023to 29 May 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 45 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Female participants aged 20 to 45 years
  • History of COVID-19-related pneumonia
  • Presence of dyspnea after COVID-19
  • Modified Borg dyspnea score between 1 and 7 after the 6-minute walk test
  • Resting oxygen saturation between 90% and 95%
  • Incomplete resolution of COVID-19-related lesions on chest radiography
  • Voluntary agreement to participate in the study
  • Signed written informed consent form

Who cannot join

  • Modified Borg dyspnea score between 0 and 1
  • Modified Borg dyspnea score greater than 7
  • History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, or pulmonary fibrosis causing dyspnea before COVID-19 pneumonia
  • Upper abdominal or thoracic surgery within the previous 3 months
  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy
Show all 13Show fewer
  • Presence of another disease contributing to dyspnea in addition to COVID-19-related dyspnea
  • Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or nervous system involvement related to COVID-19
  • Mental disorder or mental instability
  • Language barrier preventing understanding of Turkish
  • Refusal to participate or withdrawal from the study at any stage
  • History of being a competitive athlete
  • Lack of voluntary participation or refusal to sign the written informed consent form

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Hitit University Çorum Erol Olçok Training and Research Hospital

    Çorum, Çorum, 19100

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Investigation of the Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercises on Some Blood and Respiratory Parameters in Patients Recovering From COVID-19 Lung Inflammation

This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training and walking exercise on selected blood, respiratory, functional, dyspnea, sleep quality, and quality-of-life outcomes in women who had recovered from COVID-19-related lung inflammation/pneumonia. The study included women aged 20 to 45 years who had experienced COVID-19 with pneumonia, reported dyspnea, and had reduced quality of life.

A total of 80 female participants were divided into four groups: respiratory muscle training plus walking exercise, respiratory muscle training alone, walking exercise alone, and a control group, with 20 participants in each group. Measurements were performed before and after the intervention period. The assessments included pulmonary function testing, maximal inspiratory pressure, the 6-minute walk test, the modified Borg scale for dyspnea, the Nottingham Health Profile, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and selected blood parameters. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory muscle training, walking exercise, or their combination could improve respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, dyspnea, sleep quality, quality of life, and blood-related parameters in this population.

Read the detailed description

This was a single-blind, experimental, pretest-posttest intervention study conducted in adult women who had recovered from COVID-19-related pneumonia and continued to experience dyspnea during the post-discharge period. Participants were recruited from routine post-discharge follow-up settings and were informed about the study procedures before participation. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before any study-related procedures were performed.

Before the start of the intervention period, participants completed a familiarization session and trial measurements to reduce learning-related variability during the actual assessments. Baseline measurements were then performed, and participants were allocated into four study groups according to their pretest results: respiratory muscle training, respiratory muscle training plus walking exercise, walking exercise, and control.

The respiratory muscle training intervention was performed for 8 weeks using a pressure-threshold respiratory muscle training device. The training load was set at 50% of each participant's maximal inspiratory pressure. Participants in the respiratory muscle training group performed the intervention 5 days per week, twice daily, with 30 breaths in each session. Respiratory muscle strength was reassessed weekly, and the training load was updated according to changes in maximal inspiratory pressure.

The combined intervention group completed the same respiratory muscle training protocol in addition to a structured walking exercise program. The walking exercise consisted of 40 minutes of walking, 3 days per week, either outdoors or on a treadmill, at a pace of approximately 4 to 6 km/hour. Exercise intensity was prescribed using a target heart rate approach corresponding to 40% intensity and was monitored during the sessions with an optical heart rate sensor. Before walking exercise, participants completed a 10-minute warm-up and stretching routine for the upper and lower extremities.

The walking exercise group completed only the structured walking program using the same frequency, duration, intensity, and monitoring procedures as the walking component of the combined intervention group. The control group did not receive a structured exercise intervention and continued their usual daily routine during the study period.

Study data were collected using individual participant forms. These forms included health history, medication use, smoking status, previous physical activity status, basic physical characteristics, and all pre- and post-intervention measurement values. The intervention process and exercise sessions were monitored throughout the study period. Measurements were repeated after the 8-week intervention period to evaluate changes within and between the study groups.

Being tested
Respiratory Muscle Training, Walking Exercise
Keywords
Respiratory Muscle Training, Walking Exercise, COVID-19, Dyspnea, Post-COVID-19 Recovery, Maximal Inspiratory Pressure
Medical subject headings
Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory, COVID-19, Dyspnea

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Respiratory Muscle TrainingBehavioural

    Participants performed respiratory muscle training for 8 weeks using a pressure-threshold respiratory muscle training device. The training load was set at 50% of each participant's maximal inspiratory pressure. Training was performed 5 days per week, twice daily, with 30 breaths in each session. Maximal inspiratory pressure was reassessed weekly, and the training load was adjusted according to the updated value.

  • Walking ExerciseBehavioural

    Participants performed a structured walking exercise program for 8 weeks. Walking exercise was performed 3 days per week for 40 minutes at an intensity corresponding to 40% based on the target heart rate method. Walking was performed either outdoors or on a treadmill at an approximate pace of 4 to 6 km/hour. Exercise intensity was monitored using a Polar Verity Sense optical heart rate sensor. Before walking, participants completed a 10-minute warm-up and stretching protocol for the upper and lower extremities.

Study groups in NCT07656610
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Respiratory Muscle TrainingExperimentalParticipants in this arm received respiratory muscle training for 8 weeks using a pressure-threshold respiratory muscle training device. The training intensity was set at 50% of each participant's maximal inspiratory pressure and was updated according to weekly changes in respiratory muscle strength.
Receives: Behavioral: Respiratory Muscle Training
Respiratory Muscle Training Plus Walking ExerciseExperimentalParticipants in this arm received respiratory muscle training in addition to a structured walking exercise program for 8 weeks. The walking exercise was performed 3 days per week for 40 minutes at 40% intensity based on the target heart rate method, either outdoors or on a treadmill. Exercise intensity was monitored using an optical heart rate sensor.
Receives: Behavioral: Respiratory Muscle Training; Behavioral: Walking Exercise
Walking ExerciseExperimentalParticipants in this arm performed structured walking exercise for 8 weeks. Walking was performed 3 days per week for 40 minutes at a pace of approximately 4-6 km/hour and at 40% intensity based on the target heart rate method. Exercise intensity was monitored during the sessions using an optical heart rate sensor.
Receives: Behavioral: Walking Exercise
ControlNo interventionParticipants in this arm did not receive any structured exercise intervention and continued their usual daily routine during the study period.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure

    Change in maximal inspiratory pressure from baseline to post-intervention. Maximal inspiratory pressure was used to assess inspiratory respiratory muscle strength.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. Change in Forced Vital Capacity

    Change in forced vital capacity from baseline to Week 8. Forced vital capacity was assessed using pulmonary function testing and reported in liters.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  2. Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second

    Change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second from baseline to Week 8. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second was assessed using pulmonary function testing and reported in liters.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  3. Change in Peak Inspiratory Flow

    Change in peak inspiratory flow from baseline to Week 8. Peak inspiratory flow was assessed as a respiratory function parameter and reported in liters per second.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  4. Change in Inspiratory Volume

    Change in inspiratory volume from baseline to Week 8. Inspiratory volume was assessed as a respiratory function parameter and reported in liters.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  5. Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Distance

    Change in functional exercise capacity from baseline to post-intervention, assessed by the 6-minute walk test.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  6. Change in Modified Borg Dyspnea Score

    Change in perceived dyspnea from baseline to post-intervention, assessed using the modified Borg scale.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  7. Change in Nottingham Health Profile Score

    Change in health-related quality of life from baseline to post-intervention, assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  8. Change in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Score

    Change in sleep quality from baseline to post-intervention, assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

  9. Change in Blood Parameters

    Change in selected blood parameters from baseline to post-intervention, including leukocyte count, erythrocyte count, and hemoglobin.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 8

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted18 Jun 2026
  2. Study start16 Jan 2023
  3. Primary completion26 May 2023
  4. Study completion29 May 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Non-randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants were assigned to one of four parallel study groups for the duration of the 8-week intervention period: respiratory muscle training, respiratory muscle training plus walking exercise, walking exercise, or control. Each group included 20 participants, and all groups underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
80 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07656610
Sponsor's protocol ID
2022-98
Acronym
RECOVID-EX
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
11 Jun 2026
Last updated
18 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be shared publicly because the dataset contains personal health-related information collected from female participants who had recovered from COVID-19-related pneumonia. The data were collected as part of a doctoral thesis study and were analyzed in de-identified form for the purposes of the study.

Publications

  • Tosun MI. Investigation of the Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercises on Some Blood and Respiratory Parameters in Patients Recovered From COVID-19 Lung Inflammation. Doctoral dissertation. Hitit University, Graduate School, Department of Physical Education and Sports; 2023.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercise in people with COVID-19 Pneumonia and Respiratory Symptoms, run by Hitit University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07656610, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jun 2026.

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