Key result
Smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback reduces anxiety and fatigue vs routine care in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Why the study?
COVID-19 is associated with psychological effects including increased anxiety and fatigue, but the effect of smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback on these symptoms required investigation.
Does smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback reduce anxiety and fatigue in hospitalized patients with COVID-19?
Does smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback reduce anxiety and fatigue in hospitalized patients with COVID-19?
Smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback significantly reduces anxiety and fatigue in hospitalized COVID-19 patients when added to routine care.
May support adjunctive biofeedback for COVID-19 anxiety; leaves open confirmation in larger trials.
Purpose: COVID-19 is associated with various psychological effects, including increased anxiety and fatigue, in addition to its negative impact on physiological systems.This study aimed to investigate the effect of smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback on anxiety and fatigue among patients with COVID-19.Methods: In this experimental study, 76 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Firouzgar Hospital (Tehran Province, Iran) were assigned to intervention and control groups.The intervention group received routine medical care supplemented with respiratory biofeedback breathing exercises delivered via smartphone.Each session lasted 30 minutes and was conducted twice daily for 10 sessions.The control group received only routine medical treatment.Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and anxiety levels were measured with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.Results: Following the intervention, patients in the biofeedback group experienced a significantly greater reduction in fatigue and anxiety compared to the control group (P < 0.05).The control group, which received routine treatment alone, also demonstrated some improvement in symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusion:The findings indicate that smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback is effective in reducing both anxiety and fatigue among patients with COVID-19.This intervention, when integrated with standard medical care, offers significant psychological and physical symptom relief, highlighting its potential as a valuable non-pharmacological addition to comprehensive COVID-19 management.
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Norouziyan et al. (2026) studied COVID-19 (n=76). Smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback vs. Routine medical care was evaluated on Anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) (Beta -12.36, p=<0.001). Smartphone-based respiratory biofeedback significantly reduced anxiety (Beta -12.36, p<0.001) and fatigue compared to routine medical care in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
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