Abstract
Background:
Although most patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover spontaneously, approximately 40% of COVID-19 survivors experience post-COVID-19 symptoms including physical fatigue.
Purpose:
To investigate the feasibility and effects of a 6-week face-to-face or mobile application rehabilitation programs on lung function, physical capacity, and self-perceived fatigue in COVID-19 survivors.
Methods:
COVID-19 survivors completed the SF-12, fatigue assessment scale, spirometry, quadriceps strength and functional tests. Participants with predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) or predicted forced vital capacity 22 were invited to join either a 6-week face-to-face or an online-based rehabilitation program based on their personal preferences. The rehabilitation program mainly focused on aerobic training and lower limb muscle strengthening. The same tests were repeated immediately after the programs. Clinical outcomes of each group were evaluated by separate repeated measures ANOVAs.
Results:
Fourteen (age: 62.4+13.9 years; 42.9% males; post-COVID duration: 6.9±3.5 months) and 10 (age: 55.8+14.4 years; 30.0% males; post-COVID duration: 12.4±2.3 months) participants joined the centre-based and online-based rehabilitation programs, respectively. All subjects completed the programme without any noticeable adverse effects. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the SF-12 physical score (7.4%; p
Implications:
While post-COVID-19 symptoms are common among COVID-19 survivors, there is no consensus regarding the best treatment for post-COVID-19 symptoms. Our study is the first study to demonstrate that structured post-COVID rehabilitation programs significantly reduce the post-COVID symptoms and function in COVID-19 survivors.
Although most patients with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recover spontaneously, approximately 40% of COVID-19 survivors experience post-COVID-19 symptoms including physical fatigue.
Purpose:
To investigate the feasibility and effects of a 6-week face-to-face or mobile application rehabilitation programs on lung function, physical capacity, and self-perceived fatigue in COVID-19 survivors.
Methods:
COVID-19 survivors completed the SF-12, fatigue assessment scale, spirometry, quadriceps strength and functional tests. Participants with predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) or predicted forced vital capacity 22 were invited to join either a 6-week face-to-face or an online-based rehabilitation program based on their personal preferences. The rehabilitation program mainly focused on aerobic training and lower limb muscle strengthening. The same tests were repeated immediately after the programs. Clinical outcomes of each group were evaluated by separate repeated measures ANOVAs.
Results:
Fourteen (age: 62.4+13.9 years; 42.9% males; post-COVID duration: 6.9±3.5 months) and 10 (age: 55.8+14.4 years; 30.0% males; post-COVID duration: 12.4±2.3 months) participants joined the centre-based and online-based rehabilitation programs, respectively. All subjects completed the programme without any noticeable adverse effects. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the SF-12 physical score (7.4%; p
Implications:
While post-COVID-19 symptoms are common among COVID-19 survivors, there is no consensus regarding the best treatment for post-COVID-19 symptoms. Our study is the first study to demonstrate that structured post-COVID rehabilitation programs significantly reduce the post-COVID symptoms and function in COVID-19 survivors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jun 2022 |
| Event | World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific Regional Congress - , Hong Kong Duration: 18 Jun 2022 → 20 Jun 2022 |
Congress
| Congress | World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific Regional Congress |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Hong Kong |
| Period | 18/06/22 → 20/06/22 |