ABSTRACT
IntroductionDyspnoea is one of several ongoing symptoms experienced by those recovering from COVID-19 (Arnold et al, 2021). It can impact people for numerous weeks and months following the initial infection. Post COVID-19 rehabilitation may help;however, little is known about the effects of rehabilitation on dyspnoea and the related emotional response. This study aims to explore the impact of an outpatient hospital-based rehabilitation programme on dyspnoea and its emotional burden in those recovering from COVID-19.MethodPeople experiencing ongoing symptoms of COVID-19, both post-hospitalisation and community managed, were referred for assessment of their rehabilitation needs prior to commencing the programme. Consent and ethical approval was gained to allow data collection and analysis for a longitudinal cohort study. The COVID-19 hospital-based programme was twice weekly for 6-weeks. The Multidimensional Dyspnoea Profile (MDP) (Banzett et al, 2015) was completed pre and post-rehabilitation. Data was analysed using a paired t-test. For the MDP, data was explored to understand the most prevalent sensation of dyspnoea. Data is presented as the immediate perception (A1+SQ) and emotional domain (A2).ResultsNineteen people completed the MDP pre-rehabilitation (74% female, mean [SD] age 53.21 [9.99] years). Hospital admissions were 5 (26.3%) and the mean [SD] length of hospital stay was 8.8 [12.66] days. The mean [SD] unpleasantness (A1) score was 5.21 [1.69]. Chest tightness was the most severe and prevalent sensation (SQ). Frustrated was the most severe emotion (A2).Fourteen people completed the MDP Post-rehabilitation. The mean [SD] unpleasantness (A1) score was 4.29 [2.46]. Hyperventilating was the most severe and prevalent sensation (SQ). Frustrated was the most severe emotion (A2). There was no statistically significant difference between the immediate perception pre and post-rehabilitation (-3.37 [10.40]), p=0.22). There was a statistically significant difference between the emotional domain pre and post-rehabilitation (4.36 [5.32]), p< 0.01.ConclusionThese results demonstrate rehabilitation did improve the immediate perception of dyspnoea but this was not statistically significant. Unpleasantness of dyspnoea reduced following rehabilitation. Furthermore, the sensation of dyspnoea changed following the rehabilitation programme. The emotional domain statistically significantly increased following rehabilitation. Further research is required due to the multifactorial nature of dyspnoea.