Rehabilitation in adult post-COVID-19 patients in post-acute care with Therapeutic Exercise

J Frailty Aging. 2021;10(3):297-300. doi: 10.14283/jfa.2021.1.

Abstract

COVID-19 patients may experience disability related to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission or due to immobilization. We assessed pre-post impact on physical performance of multi-component therapeutic exercise for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in a post-acute care facility. A 30-minute daily multicomponent therapeutic exercise intervention combined resistance, endurance and balance training. Outcomes: Short Physical Performance Battery; Barthel Index, ability to walk unassisted and single leg stance. Clinical, functional and cognitive variables were collected. We included 33 patients (66.2±12.8 years). All outcomes improved significantly in the global sample (p<0.01). Post-ICU patients, who were younger than No ICU ones, experienced greater improvement in SPPB (4.4±2.1 vs 2.5±1.7, p<0.01) and gait speed (0.4±0.2 vs 0.2±0.1 m/sec, p<0.01). In conclusion, adults surviving COVID-19 improved their functional status, including those who required ICU stay. Our results emphasize the need to establish innovative rehabilitative strategies to reduce the negative functional outcomes of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; older adults; post-ICU rehabilitation; rehabilitation; therapeutic exercise.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Exercise
  • Exercise Therapy
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Subacute Care*