High-Intensity, Occupation-Specific Physical Therapy for a Firefighter's Return to Work Following Critical Covid-19

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Firefighting is a demanding and hazardous profession requiring optimal physical and cognitive health. Occupational risk factors associated with firefighting (contact with the public, pulmonary damage from repeated exposure to fire) may place firefighters at an increased risk of contracting SARSCoV-2 as well as for suffering complications resulting from fulminant COVID-191, which can result in impaired physical2 and cognitive3 performance. Current recommendations for rehabilitation following COVID-19 may be insufficient to address the unique physical and cognitive demands required to perform fire suppression tasks.4 The purpose of this case report is to describe the efficacy of a high-intensity, occupation-specific physical therapy (HIOS-PT)5 program to improve aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and cognitive performance sufficient to return a firefighter to full duty within 6 months following hospital discharge for critical COVID-19. CASE DESCRIPTION A 36-year-old firefighter completed 30 sessions of HIOS-PT with hopes of returning to his strenuous occupation as a firefighter following a 70-day complicated hospitalization for critical COVID-19 pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Initial evaluation revealed impaired aerobic capacity of less than the first percentile for age and sex on cardiopulmonary exercise testing6, impaired muscular strength on isokinetic testing, and impaired cognitive performance as assessed by an app-based information processing task (reaction time and accuracy). The HIOS-PT program was symptom-limited simulated real work activities based on previous literature describing the effect of similar programming with first responders in cardiac rehabilitation5, while improving strength, cognition, and aerobic capacity sufficient to meet fitness standards required to return to work. Additionally, the patient performed 3 simulated candidate physical ability tests each increasing in intensity which consisted of 9 fire suppression activities required by his department7. Followup assessments were performed after completion of 30 HIOS-PT sessions. OUTCOME(S) Aerobic capacity increased 54% from a VO2=25.4 mL/kg/min (7.3 METs) to VO2=39.2 mL/kg/min (11.2 METs). Muscular strength increased from 59% to >96% body weight. Cognitive performance on an information processing test increased 175% from a score of 556 to 1530. Upon discharge from the HIOS-PT program, the patient returned to full duty as a firefighter. DISCUSSION: HIOS-PT was well tolerated and effective in rehabilitating a firefighter to return to work following a prolonged hospitalization for critical COVID-19. Rehabilitation guidelines for occupational athletes, such as firefighters, following critical COVID-19 is limited and may be insufficient to adequately prepare these individuals for return to strenuous work duties. This case supports the exploration into using HIOS-PT for individuals required to perform heavy work following critical COVID-19.