Physical Rehabilitation Therapy for Long COVID-19 Patient with Respiratory Sequelae: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection has been a global pandemic since late 2019. Even though most COVID-19 patients recover fully from the disease, approximately 5–10% experience prolonged symptoms for several months following the acute COVID-19 phase, defined as long COVID-19 syndrome. Most of the sequelae are respiratory sequelae. Rehabilitation therapy is needed to overcome their respiratory sequelae and to improve their functional capacity. AIM: This systematic review discusses rehabilitation therapy for long COVID-19 syndrome with respiratory sequelae. METHODS: Using PubMed and Cochrane library, a systematic review was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. The subject of this research was long COVID syndrome with respiratory sequelae. For rehabilitation therapy for long COVID-19 patients with respiratory sequelae, inclusion criteria were studied. Exclusion criteria were letters to the editor, editorial or commentary reports, and studies not available in full-text and not in English or Bahasa. RESULTS: Nine studies are included in this systematic review comprising two consensus statements or recommendations, one cohort retrospective study, two case studies or case reports, one review, and three experimental studies. The recommended rehabilitation program pathway using a three-tier model depends on the severity of the disease. Several rehabilitation exercises for long COVID patients with respiratory sequelae include cardiorespiratory exercise, breathing exercise, therapeutic exercise, and even traditional Chinese fitness models such as Liuzijue exercise. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation therapy exercise helps to improve the breathing effort, improving dyspnea, and respiratory muscle strength in long COVID patients with respiratory sequelae.