Beneficial effects of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation in postacute COVID-19: an observational cohort study.
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med
; 57(2): 189-198, 2021 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1224407
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increases the demand for postacute care in patients after a severe disease course. Various long-term sequelae are expected and rehabilitation medicine is challenged to support physical and cognitive recovery.AIM:
We aimed to explore the dysfunctions and outcome of COVID-19 survivors after early postacute rehabilitation.DESIGN:
Observational cohort study.METHODS:
This study evaluated the postacute sequelae of patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and analyzed rehabilitative outcomes of a subgroup of patients included in the prospective observational multicenter CovILD study.RESULTS:
A total of 23 subjects discharged after severe to critical COVID-19 infection underwent an individualized, multiprofessional rehabilitation. At the start of postacute rehabilitation, impairment of pulmonary function (87%), symptoms related to postintensive care syndrome, and neuropsychological dysfunction (85%) were frequently found, whereas cardiac function appeared to be largely unaffected. Of interest, multi-disciplinary rehabilitation resulted in a significant improvement in lung function, as reflected by an increase of forced vital capacity (P=0.007) and forced expiratory volume in one second (P=0.014), total lung capacity (P=0.003), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (P=0.002). Accordingly, physical performance status significantly improved as reflected by a mean increase of six-minute walking distance by 176 (SD±137) meters. Contrarily, a considerable proportion of patients still had limited diffusion capacity (83%) or neurological symptoms including peripheral neuropathy at the end of rehabilitation.CONCLUSIONS:
Individuals discharged after a severe course of COVID-19 frequently present with persisting physical and cognitive dysfunctions after hospital discharge. Those patients significantly benefit from multi-disciplinary inpatient rehabilitation. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Our data demonstrated the highly promising effects of early postacute rehabilitation in survivors of severe or critical COVID-19. This findings urge further prospective evaluations and may impact future treatment and rehabilitation strategies.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
/
Subacute Care
/
Pandemics
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
/
Intensive Care Units
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med
Journal subject:
Physical Medicine
/
Rehabilitation
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S1973-9087.21.06549-7
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