USING BIOFEEDBACK TO MAINTAIN PRONE-POSITION IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

The results of approbation are analyzed and the experience of biofeedback application which was earlier worked out in somnological practice in the course of positional therapy for treatment of obstructive apnea type breathing disorders by optimizing the patients’ position during treatment for COVID-19 infection is summarized. These patients are advised to adhere to the face-down prone position. Failure to adhere to the recommended position when the supine position (face-up) is abused, invariably leads to a worsening of the course of the disease. However, while staff can monitor COVID-19 patients’ compliance with the prone position during the day, it is not possible at night. Accordingly, in order to facilitate prone positions the patients in the red zone were helped by a miniature device fixed on the chest by means of an elastic band and giving a vibration signal in case of violation of the recommended position. By developing a stable conditioned reflex, excluding any position other than the recommended prone position, the patients found it easier to observe the positioning therapy, which had a positive effect on the patients’ well-being, their physiological state, and accelerated recovery from the COVID-19 disease.

biofeedback, recommended patient position, vibration signal, supine-position exclusion, conditioned reflex, useful skill, patient’s well-being, positional therapy