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March 18, 2026Acta Physiologica

Home‐Based Inspiratory Muscle Training Can Restore Cardiac Autonomic Balance and Improve Spontaneous Breathing Pattern in Post‐ COVID Individuals

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Why the study?

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction with reduced cardiac vagal tone is common in post-COVID condition, raising the question of whether this autonomic imbalance can be targeted with inspiratory muscle training.

Does home-based inspiratory muscle training improve cardiac autonomic balance and spontaneous breathing pattern in post-COVID individuals?

Population

24 participants with a prior COVID-19 infection

Comparison

True IMT (50%–80% MIP) vs sham training (5% MIP)

Design

Randomized trial

Follow-up

5 weeks

Key result

A 5-week inspiratory muscle training program significantly increased high-frequency heart rate variability (21±5 to 30±20; p=0.04) and improved breathing patterns in post-COVID individuals.

Authors

TSThais Dillinger Conway SantannaAOAndré Luiz Musmanno Branco OliveiraPSPedro Paulo da Soares

Discussion

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Overview

Supports home-based IMT for autonomic recovery in post-COVID patients; extends evidence on nonpharmacological vagal modulation.

Key Points

  • The research investigates the effects of inspiratory muscle training on autonomic balance and breathing patterns in post-COVID individuals.
  • 24 post-COVID individuals were recruited and randomized into two groups: true inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and sham training.
  • IMT involved training at 50%–80% of maximal inspiratory pressure, while sham was at minimal load.
  • Maximal inspiratory pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and respiratory patterns were measured before and after the 5-week protocol.
  • The IMT group significantly increased maximal inspiratory pressure, indicating improved respiratory strength.
  • The duty cycle of spontaneous breathing improved in the IMT group, with shorter inspiratory time and longer expiratory time.
  • HRV increased significantly in the IMT group after intervention, whereas no changes were observed in the sham group.

Structured PICO

Does home-based inspiratory muscle training improve cardiac autonomic balance and spontaneous breathing pattern in post-COVID individuals?

P
Population
24 participants with a prior COVID-19 infection
I
Intervention
5-week, home-based protocol of true inspiratory muscle training (IMT) at 50%–80% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP)
C
Comparator
Sham training at 5% of MIP (minimal load)
O
Outcome
Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), heart rate variability (HRV), and respiratory patterns assessed before and after the 5-week interventionsurrogate

A 5-week home-based inspiratory muscle training program improves inspiratory muscle strength, modifies spontaneous breathing patterns, and enhances cardiac vagal modulation in post-COVID individuals.

Cite This Study

Santanna et al. (2026) studied this question. A 5-week inspiratory muscle training program significantly increased high-frequency heart rate variability (21±5 to 30±20; p=0.04) and improved breathing patterns in post-COVID individuals.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ba420a4e9516ffd37a1e46https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.70199
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Also Consider

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  3. 3A randomized clinical trial to stimulate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in patients with moderate COVID-19-pneumonia using a slow-paced breathing technique2022 · 12 citations
  4. 4Vagus nerve dysfunction in the post–COVID-19 condition: a pilot cross-sectional study2023 · 35 citations
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