ABSTRACT
The COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which developed into a pandemic in 2020, has become a major healthcare challenge for governments and healthcare workers worldwide. Despite several medical treatment protocols having been established, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that can promote functional recovery is still frequently ignored. An online consensus meeting of an expert panel comprising members of the Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation was held to provide recommendations for rehabilitation protocols in each of the five COVID-19 stages, namely (1) outpatients with mild disease and no risk factors, (2) outpatients with mild disease and epidemiological risk factors, (3) hospitalized patients with moderate to severe disease, (4) ventilator-supported patients with clear cognitive function, and (5) ventilator-supported patients with impaired cognitive function. Apart from medications and life support care, a proper rehabilitation protocol that facilitates recovery from COVID-19 needs to be established and emphasized in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Clinical Protocols/standards , Infection Control , Rehabilitation , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/rehabilitation , Consensus , Humans , Infection Control/methods , Infection Control/organization & administration , Recovery of Function , Rehabilitation/methods , Rehabilitation/standards , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , TaiwanABSTRACT
Infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the development of the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and associated clinical symptoms, which typically presents as an upper respiratory syndrome such as pneumonia. Growing evidence indicates an increased prevalence of neurological involvement (e.g., in the form of stroke) during virus infection. COVID-19 has been suggested to be more than a lung infection because it affects the vasculature of the lungs and other organs and increases the risk of thrombosis. Patients with stroke are vulnerable to secondary events as a result not only of their poor vascular condition but also of their lack of access to rehabilitation resources. Herein, we review current knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of COVID-19, its possible association with neurological involvement, and current drug therapies. Suggestions are also offered regarding the potential for current neurorehabilitation therapies to be taught and practiced at home.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Physical Therapy Modalities , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Secondary Prevention , Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke/therapy , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/physiopathology , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/physiopathology , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , Psychological Distance , Quarantine , Recovery of Function , Recurrence , Risk Factors , SARS-CoV-2 , Stroke/diagnosis , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/physiopathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 has severely affected public health. Under social distancing and lockdown policies, patients with musculoskeletal pain have fewer opportunities than usual to receive routine medical care for pain management in hospitals. Therefore, we provided some suggestions for such patients to manage musculoskeletal pain and techniques that may be performed at home during this period.