Rehabilitation facilitates the natural recovery of symptoms, mental health and quality of life outcomes post COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Aim: To investigate the effects of rehabilitation (Rehab) added to usual care (UC) versus UC on symptoms, mental health and quality of life (QoL) outcomes post COVID-19. Method(s) A supervised Rehab program was offered to 55 post COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized with severe/critical COVID-19 pneumonia and a Copd Assesment Test (CAT) score >= 10, post hospital discharge (6-8 weeks). Twenty-eight patients accepted to enroll to Rehab, whereas 27 refused to participate (UC). All patients were evaluated at baseline and after 2 months. Result(s) Groups were not different in mean age (56 years), gender (53% ), ICU admission (65%), intubation (47%), days of hospitalization (31), number of symptoms (9), and number of comorbidities (1.4). The baseline evaluation was conducted at 82+/-30 days after symptoms onset. Only Rehab was associated with improvements in respiratory symptoms, dyspnea, fatigue, depression/anxiety, cognitive impairment, and QoL. (Table 1) Conclusion(s) Rehabilitation facilitates recovery of symptoms and QoL post COVID-19 that otherwise would remain incomplete with usual care.