A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive speleotherapy in asthma, COPD and long COVID.

Abstract / Summary

Speleotherapy (underground climate therapy) is a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic respiratory diseases. This randomized controlled trial investigated whether a 3-week speleotherapy course (6 sessions, 2 h/week) improves respiratory outcomes in patients on standard background therapy with asthma, COPD, or Long COVID, and whether it affects blood CO2 levels. The control group did not receive speleotherapy but continued their standard therapy. A total of 208 patients (asthma: n = 107; COPD: n = 59; Long COVID: n = 42) were enrolled across nine centers in Germany, Austria, and Italy. Assessments were conducted pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Outcome measures included airway inflammation (FeNO), pulmonary function parameters (FVC% predicted values, FEV₁% predicted values, FEV₁/FVC, PEF% predicted values), and respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP in absolute values). In addition the following validated questionnaires were administered: Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), along with the Long COVID questionnaire from the Median Clinic Group. CO2 levels were assessed via capillary blood (SpCO2) and end-tidal CO2 (PetCO2). Between-group comparisons used the Mann-Whitney U test; within-group changes were assessed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Bonferroni-Holm corrected). In patients with asthma, the predefined primary endpoint (FeNO) showed no significant improvement. In contrast, patient-reported outcomes improved significantly, with clinically relevant gains in asthma control (ACT: p < 0.001) and asthma-related quality of life (total AQLQ: p = 0.005). Lung function parameters showed statistically significant but modest improvements at T2 (FVC: p = 0.011; PEF: p = 0.010; FEV₁ in participants < 70 years: p = 0.035). In patients with COPD, symptom burden improved according to CAT scores (p = 0.036), while no improvements in lung function were observed. Patients with Long COVID reported significant improvements in dysfunctional breathing (NQ: T2: p = 0.014), dyspnea (T2: p = 0.026; T3: p = 0.001), and "problems with stair climbing/muscle exertion" (T2: p = 0.042), as well as improvements in anxiety and sleep-related symptoms (T2: p = 0.021). No improvements in lung function were observed in this group. In the total cohort, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements compared to controls in respiratory muscle strength (MIP: p = 0.002; MEP: p = 0.018) and dysfunctional breathing (NQ scores at T2: p = 0.007; T3: p = 0.017). In CO₂-rich speleotherapy centers, both SpCO₂ (p = 0.026) and PetCO₂ (p < 0.001) increased at T2. While speleotherapy did not improve FeNO, it was associated with clinically relevant improvements in patient-reported outcomes across disease groups. Changes in lung function and respiratory muscle strength were statistically significant but modest and should be interpreted with caution. Overall, speleotherapy may have direct effects on the airways and breathing regulation, with more consistent evidence for improvements in breathing patterns than for direct effects on the airways.Trial registration: DRKS00033365 (retrospectively registered).

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