ABSTRACT
Purpose: To emphasize the importance of Balance assessment as integral part of SARS SARS-CoV-2 rehabilitation so that a ‘'future pandemic” of falls can be prevented. Relevance: Balance assessment in acute-care setting can help prevent falls and subsequent consequences complication during the course of rehabilitation. Participants: SARS –CoV-2 recovered survivors (n=130), who were admitted for a minimum of 7 days and on O2 support. Methods: Institutional Ethic committee approval was obtained. Patients admitted to the hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 who were on O2 support and minimum duration of hospital stay>7 days were recruited for the study. Balance impairment was assessed using Tinette POMA and the obtained data was analyzed. Analysis: DescriptiveResults: A total of (n=130) patients were identified, 54 patients were at risk of falls, 36 were at high risk and 18 were at moderate risk of fall. In the results, there is a significant balance impairment in O2 dependent SARS-CoV-2 survivors. Conclusion: Balance Assessment should be included in SARS-CoV-2 survivors so that a tailored exercise prescription can be formulated that will not only enhance their functional activities but also reduce the risk of falls and may prevent further complications. Implications: Balance Assessment will help to identify the patient who are at high risk of falls and effective rehabilitation can be planned. Early detection of fall risk through balance assessment paves way for targeted, integrated intervention through a tailored exercise program based on the findings thus, reducing the burden of the patient and healthcare system in general.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a six-month home-based resistance-training program on muscle health and physical performance in healthy older subjects during the unique condition of home confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a randomized-controlled study that enrolled older participants that were allocated to either an experimental group performing the six-months exercise prescription (EXE) or a control group (CON). At the beginning (PRE), and after 6 months (POST), participants were assessed for muscle strength, balance, gait assessment and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Normality distribution of data was checked with the D'Agostino and Pearson test and changes between PRE and POST were assessed by paired Student's t-test while percentage and absolute changes between groups at POST were tested by unpaired t-test. RESULTS: Nine participants were included for the final analysis: EXE, n = 5 (age: 66 ± 4; BMI: 27.5 ± 3.7) and CON, n = 4 (age: 71 ± 9; BMI: 24.2 ± 4.1). Significant PRE-to-POST changes were observed in the EXE group only in the chair-stand test (+19.8%, p = 0.048 and ES:1.0, moderate) and in total fat mass (+5.0%, p = 0.035 and ES:1.4, large) with no between-group differences. Moreover, EXE had significantly higher absolute thigh CSA values than CON at POST (14.138 ± 2977 vs. 9039 ± 1015, p = 0.0178, ES = 1.7). No other within- and between-group differences were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The home-based resistance-training program during the lockdown period, caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, determined only within-group improvement in lower limb muscle strength but not in muscle mass and composition in older subjects. Home confinement may partially explain the increase in total body fat due to a reduced daily PA regime and altered diet pattern.