ABSTRACT
The purpose is to verify whether patients with Long Covid-19 symptoms can recover Functional Capabilities and Endurance reaching the normotype subjects' level. The study is a before-after trial comparing the affected sample with baseline normotype data. The study was carried out at the private clinic "Move Different" near Aosta Italy. The clinic has an agreement with public health for a project for patients with Long Covid-19 symptoms. About 60 subjects (mean age 62+-3) healed from Covid-19 Virus with more than one day of hospitalization, older than 60 years old were included. They were divided into two clusters: Low Performance Patients (LPP) and Medium Performance Patients (MPP), decided by the Medical Equipe. The program consisted of 10 sessions of 1h, divided into 2/3 treatments per week;based on the use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality through a Digital Mirror. Tests were performed before and after the intervention. Increase in meters covered in the 6 Minutes Walking Test (MPP increases 56+- 65 meters, LPP increases 99+-74 meters). Wilcoxon test was performed between pre and post 6MWT for both of populations (pvalue < 0.005, pvalue < 0.005). After the treatment, results are close to normative data of Perera et al, 2006, Geriatrics. The improvement of both groups is statistically significantly difference;data support that especially the medium-functional group achieves the similar level of normotype subjects. A future randomized control trial aimed at testing whether improvement of this method over a traditional one is suggested. The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research authorship and/or publication of this poster.
ABSTRACT
This article, the first in a three-part series on Long Covid, provides a definition of post-Covid-19 syndrome and Long Covid. It highlights the considerations for diagnosis and an overview of the management of commonly reported symptoms through the experience of one of the 90 NHS England commissioned post Covid (Long Covid) assessment clinics, in addition to lived experiences of persons with Long Covid (PwLC). The next two articles in this series will look at the use of digital technology in Long Covid self-management and virtual group assessments.
ABSTRACT
To investigate and describe the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has determined in the organization of the Rehabilitation, particularly in the rehabilitative management of patients with acute infection and Long Covid syndrome. A survey was performed from May to August 2020, during the first pandemic surge. The study was conducted at padua General Hospital - University, namely in the Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Neuroscience. Patients referred to the Rehabilitation Unit completed the survey. A questionnaire was provided to each patient who accessed our outpatient clinics or who was contacted via digital devices. Patients completed the survey before the visit. Not applicable. Overall, 121 questionnaires completed by patients were analysed. The study participants were 91 female and 30 male patients. The reorganization of the activities by establishing treatment priorities and continuing to ensure early rehabilitative interventions in acute conditions has been essential to rationalize the deployment of staff and personal protective equipment in the emergency. Patients with acute infections were generally rehabilitated in hospital settings, but patients with Long Covid syndrome were largely rehabilitated in out-of-hospital settings. During the pandemic surge, the volume of ambulatory visits had decreased by 70%. Of the remaining visits, approximately 50% were performed via e-mail, 30% telephonically and 20% (nonpostponable evaluations) in person. Data have shown that 81% of patients preferred face-to-face visits rather than alternative communication methods and only 9% preferred to avoid the ambulatory visit because of the fear of contagion. As in-person evaluations and treatments have proven to be preferred by patients and hospitals cannot deal with the patient load during the pandemic, out-of-hospital alternatives, may be necessary, for example, to take care of patients with persistent outcomes after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection, such as fatigue or neurocognitive deficits. No conflict of interests to declare.
ABSTRACT
to describe baseline characteristics of patients referred for outpatient rehabilitation therapies during the first 7 months of Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital's Post-COVID Recovery Program. Retrospective cohort. Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. All patients referred to the BMRH Post-COVID Recovery Program from May – December 2021, excluding those with neurodegenerative conditions and those already receiving physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy for a pre-existing condition at the time of their COVID-19 diagnosis. Not applicable. This study focuses on describing baseline characteristics of a relatively new clinical population, ergo there is no main outcome measure. Of 116 patients referred to the program, 94 (81.0%) were assessed by at least one therapy discipline. Of patients assessed, 72.3% were assessed by more than one discipline, and 37.2% were evaluated by all three: PT, OT, and Speech. The mean duration from COVID-19 diagnosis to referral was 203.2 days (SD=160.11). The majority of patients, 66.7%, were not hospitalized for COVID-19. Among patients' chief complaints, the top five were cognitive issues (76.6%), decreased endurance (75.5%), decreased strength (62.8%), pain (56.4%), and balance deficits (50.0%). The most common premorbid conditions were anxiety/depression (37.0%), hypertension (35.3%), lipid disorders (33.6%), current/former smoker (31.0%), and migraines (21.6%). Average body mass index at time of COVID-19 diagnosis was 31.33 (SD=8.89), with 29.15 and 25.88 at the median and first quartile, respectively, indicating that the majority of patients fell within CDC ranges for overweight or obesity. Cognitive complaints were correlated with female assigned sex, lower levels of care received for COVID illness, and preserved strength. Decreased endurance was correlated with higher BMI, lipid disorder, higher level of care, and other physical complaints. Balance deficits were correlated with hypertension and longer duration. These results shed light on a relatively new patient population and their rehabilitation needs. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread, more and more patients will seek rehabilitation services as part of their recovery. Understanding the characteristics of these patients is key to developing and refining effective treatment protocols. Nothing to disclose.
ABSTRACT
Many people with long COVID are still struggling with symptoms. Aysha Mendes looks at the research into rehabilitation