Poster Presentation: AB No: 62: Comparison of Functional Capacity and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Covid-19 survivors with Healthy Individuals – A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To compare functional capacity and peak expiratory flow rate in COVID-19 survivors and healthy individuals.Relevance of study COVID 19 has shown to affect the lung parenchyma. For physiotherapists, as they deal with maximising functional potential of patients, knowing status of functional capacity and lung function of COVID-19 survivors may help in understanding patients' problem more effectively and also in making appropriate clinical decisions. Participants: Fifty participants from community of Ahmedabad, males and females of age group 50–65 years, with (group A) & without (group B) history of COVID-19 in the past 12 months, will be included in the study by convenience sampling. Patients with severe musculoskeletal, neurological & cardiac problems, recent injury, fever, cough & cold are excluded. Method: Observational analytical study was conducted. 6minute walk distance for functional capacity and peak expiratory flow rate with a peak flow meter, was obtained. Analysis: Data analysis for 14 participants was done using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft excel 2019. Data was screened for normality using Levene's test. Between group comparison for 6MWD and PEFR was done using Mann-Whitney U test. Level of significance kept at 5%. Results: Mean age in group A was (58.0 + 4.47) years, and in group B was (59.2 + 5.49)years. Difference in mean+SD for PEFR in L/min for group A (414.29 + 186.44) and Group B (344.29 + 66.29) was not significant (U=20, p=0.562). Difference in mean + SD for 6MWD group A (414.76 + 101.99), Group B (481.69 + 90.24) was not significant (U= 13.5, p=0.15). Conclusion: Study is still going. Implications If the peak expiratory flow rate and functional capacity are reduced post COVID, there will be a need to manage the same.