Effect of short-duration, limited rehabilitation on maintenance of the activities of daily living in patients with acute phase of COVID-19

[Purpose] To determine whether short-duration, limited rehabilitation is effective in patients with COVID-19. [Participants and Methods] Single-center, retrospective, observational study. Thirty-six inpatients were classified into the three groups: a close contact (CC) group with a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (n=14); a PCR–positive (PP) group (n=15); and a PCR–positive and transfer (PT) group with severe COVID-19 patients who were transferred to an acute care hospital for treatment and then returned to our hospital (n=7). Short-duration, limited rehabilitation was provided to the CC and PP groups in isolated rooms by a therapist wearing full personal protective equipment, and we assessed the changes in their activities of daily living. [Results] The patients’ clinical characteristics at baseline were similar among the three groups. Functional Independence Measure scores in the CC, PP, and PT groups were not different at baseline (69 ± 29, 53 ± 26, and 63 ± 32), but differed after control of COVID-19 (63 ± 25, 47 ± 24, and 32 ± 19). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the implementation of a customized self-exercise program and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form at baseline were independently associated with Functional Independence Measure score after control of COVID-19. [Conclusion] These results suggest that even short-duration, limited rehabilitation may be effective for preventing decreases in activities of daily living in patients with COVID-19.