2.2. Intervention
cough, ’s mouth
The intervention group participated in a four-week program of respiratory rehabilitation training, whereas the control group did not receive any respiratory therapy or treatment inside the IRCCS San Camillo Hospital in Venice. Patients participated in two daily sessions for four weeks, five days a week, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, with a focus on LVR. The treatment approach included employing a cough machine (Model E-70 In-Ex Sufflator, Philips Respironics, Milan, Italy) to deliver air boluses up to the total lung capacity (TLC). The decision regarding whether to use an oronasal anesthesia mask or an oral interface during the incentive sessions was contingent upon the patient’s mouth’s orbicular muscles and buccinator functionality. Moreover, within these sessions, we integrated an antibacterial–antiviral humidifying filter (UmidVent) in conjunction with the cough machine. Each patient in the study adhered to standardized parameters. These parameters included a 5 s inspiratory time to ensure TLC was reached, a 5 s pause between insufflations to facilitate CO