The role of acute rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND: In the published literature there is scarce data on the importance of acute rehabilitation in patients suffering from COVID-19 disease. AIM: Evaluation of the feasibility of respiratory and neuromuscular rehabilitation treatment in stable acute COVID-19 inpatients. DESIGN: The study was designed as an observational prospective investigation of two cohorts respectively identified as Mild/Moderate and Stable Severe COVID-19 disease. All patients received a rehabilitation treatment consisting of breathing exercises, range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises, with the main difference in intensity and progression of treatment, depending on individual capacity of patient. SETTING: Inpatients with diagnosed mild to moderate, or stable severe COVID-19 infection were included in the study. POPULATION: Acute COVID-19 inpatients. METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups depending on the severity of disease: “mild to moderate group” (MMG) and “stable severe group” (SSG). Functional outcomes included the Barthel Index (BI), Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Borg Scale for dyspnea, “Time Up and Go” Test (TUG), “Sit To Stand” test (STS), “One Leg Stance Test” (OLST) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were evaluated at baseline and after rehabilitative treatment, on discharge. RESULTS: We included 147 acute COVID-19 inpatients (75 male and 72 female), mean aged 63.90±13.76 years. There were noticeable statistically significant improvements in all observed measurements in both groups. Comparison between groups showed significant difference in MMG compared to SSG in all functional outcomes: TUG (P<0.001), STS (P<0.001), OLST (P<0.001), BDI (P=0.008), BI (P<0.001), and Borg scale for dyspnea (P<0.001). Despite the significant improvements of BI in SSG, the obtained values showed that the patients were still not functionally independent. CONCLUSIONS: Acute respiratory and neuromuscular rehabilitation program is a feasibile, but also effective and safe method for improving functional status in patients with COVID-19 infection. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Results of the present study implicate that a supervised early rehabilitation program, implemented in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 disease in the acute phasis a feasible way for significant improvement of patient’s functional outcomes. Early rehabilitation should be included into clinical protocols for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.