Effect of hybrid rehabilitation on exercise tolerance in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome: an interim analysis

ABSTRACT

Background: Exercise tolerance is limited in patients suffering from long COVID-19 syndrome several months after the acute phase of the disease. The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on exercise tolerance is inconclusive. Aim(s) To investigate the effect of a hybrid PR program, combining outpatient and home-based PR, on exercise capacity in long COVID-19 syndrome. Method(s) 15 patients (age (mean+/-SD) 55+/-14 yrs.) with excessive fatigue due to long COVID-19 syndrome (FACIT score (25+/-11) were allocated to PR (n=10) or usual care (UC) (n=5) groups 85+/-29 days from hospital discharge. PR consisted of 8 outpatient PR sessions (twice weekly for 4 weeks), and 24 home-based PR sessions (3 times/week for 8 weeks). Patients in the UC were instructed to be physically active. Exercise tolerance was assessed during a cardiopulmonary exercise test to the limit of tolerance (Tlim). Result(s) Results are presented in table 1. Conclusion(s) A hybrid programme of PR improves exercise tolerance in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome.