A randomized clinical trial to stimulate the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in patients with moderate COVID-19-pneumonia using a slow-paced breathing technique.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

A characteristic problem occurring in COVID-19 is excessive elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6 and CRP) which are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Stimulation of the vagally-mediated cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex by slow paced breathing with prolonged exhalation may present a clinically relevant way to reduce circulating IL-6.

Method

Single-center randomized controlled clinical trial with enrolment of 46 patients hospitalized with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and moderate COVID-19 pneumonia (primary diagnosis). Differences between intervention (4sec inhalation, 6sec exhalation for 20 minutes 3x daily) and control group in IL-6 calculated using multilevel mixed-effect linear regression

SUBMITTER: Balint EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9574246 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature