Distribution of pulmonary ventilation in women with post-COVID-19 before and after the use of a respiratory incentive device (UBICU): a pilot study

IntroductionIn the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive pulmonary complications have emerged as a common long-term sequela. To address these impairments, a novel flow-based respiratory incentive device, UBICU, was developed to promote lung expansion through gamification and visual feedback. The aim of this study was to describe the pulmonary ventilation distribution using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) in women with long COVID and restrictive pulmonary impairment, before and after using the UBICU device.MethodsThis exploratory (pre-post) pilot study included eight women with post–COVID-19 restrictive impairment, as determined by spirometry in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines. Pulmonary ventilation distribution was assessed before and after the intervention using electrical impedance tomography. Participants were provided with the UBICU device and instructed to perform three sets of 10 repetitions daily for seven consecutive days. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.ResultsAn asymmetric regional ventilation pattern was observed before and after the intervention. Statistically significant improvements were found in ROI 1 (p = 0.007), ROI 3 (p = 0.007), and ROI 4 (p = 0.007) after using the UBICU device.ConclusionUse of the UBICU device was associated with improvements in pulmonary ventilation distribution, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive therapeutic tool in the management of women with long COVID and restrictive pulmonary impairment.