Rehabilitation after COVID-19 is needed in individuals experiencing longer-term disabling illness at any stage of COVID-19 infection.[1] The rehabilitation of individuals with COVID-19 includes screening for the need for rehabilitation, participation of a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate and manage the individual's disabilities, use of four evidence based classes for rehabilitation (exercise, practice, psychosocial support and education), as well as individualised interventions for other problems.[1]
Scope
editThe range of problems suffered by individuals after COVID-19 have, as of January 2021[update], not yet been well described in scientific literature.[1] Individuals with COVID-19 have developed several complications, such as respiratory failure, renal failure, myocarditis,[2] encephalitis, impaired immunologic response and blood clotting disorders.[1] However, COVID-19 can affect any organ system, and can therefore have any symptoms and signs. Individuals with COVID-19 can also have psychological conditions such as anxiety or depression.[3] People who required mechanical ventilation while they had COVID-19 may have injury to the airways, weakened muscles, delirium[4] and post-traumatic stress disorder.[5][6] Those with COVID-19 can have reduced ability to perform activities of daily living.[citation needed]
Approach
editThere is limited data regarding rehabilitation after COVID-19 due to the recent nature of the disease.[3] The general pulmonary rehabilitation method based on 4S principle (simple, safe, satisfy, save) has been proposed in China for pulmonary rehabilitation, particularly in individuals who were admitted to ICU. A recent study concluded that a six-week respiratory rehabilitation program improves respiratory function and quality of life as well as decreases anxiety in older individuals with COVID-19.[7] Early active mobilization has been recommended by one study for improving muscle strength and mobility after discharge from hospital in individuals with COVID-19.[8]
For individuals experiencing post-COVID fatigue, an approach based upon recommendations for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is recommended.[9] There is some early support for this approach. For example, a 7-week virtual rehabilitation course developed by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust supported people to improve their sleep, manage energy levels (e.g. by striking a balance between rest and activity using pacing), optimise their breathing and manage stress. A study evaluating the service found that patients completing the course significantly improved their quality of life.[10] However, although quality of life was improved, it did not return to pre-COVID levels for the majority of patients. These findings suggest that post-COVID syndrome is likely to be a long-term condition that requires ongoing rehabilitation.
Challenges
editIn the context of the pandemic, face-to-face interactions are likely to be minimised. Therefore, tele-rehabilitation systems could be used to address the difficulties associated with the ongoing pandemic.[3] The limitations of virtual care are technical malfunctions, lack of availability of equipment and limited scope for physical examination.[3] The pandemic situation has reduced the ability to meet the typical needs in rehabilitation such as social interaction and human contact among caregivers and family members, thereby limiting the available options for multidisciplinary rehabilitation.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Wade, Derick T (July 2020). "Rehabilitation after COVID-19: an evidence-based approach" (PDF). Clinical Medicine. 20 (4): 359–365. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0353. PMC 7385804. PMID 32518105. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Rathore, Sawai Singh; Rojas, Gianpier Alonzo; Sondhi, Manush; Pothuru, Suveenkrishna; Pydi, Reshma; Kancherla, Neeraj; Singh, Romil; Ahmed, Noman Khurshid; Shah, Jill; Tousif, Sohaib; Baloch, Unaiza Tariq (2021). "Myocarditis associated with COVID-19 disease: A systematic review of published case reports and case series". International Journal of Clinical Practice. 75 (11): e14470. doi:10.1111/ijcp.14470. ISSN 1742-1241. PMID 34235815. S2CID 235768792.
- ^ a b c d e Demeco, A.; Marotta, N.; Barletta, M.; Pino, I.; Marinaro, C.; Petraroli, A.; Moggio, L.; Ammendolia, Antonio (25 August 2020). "Rehabilitation of patients post-COVID-19 infection: a literature review". Journal of International Medical Research. 48 (8): 1–10. doi:10.1177/0300060520948382. PMC 7450453. PMID 32840156.
- ^ Velásquez-Tirado, Juan D.; Trzepacz, Paula T.; Franco, José G. (2021-04-12). "Etiologies of Delirium in Consecutive COVID-19 Inpatients and the Relationship Between Severity of Delirium and COVID-19 in a Prospective Study With Follow-Up". The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 33 (3): 210–218. doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20100251. ISSN 0895-0172. PMID 33843248. S2CID 233212822.
- ^ "COVID-19 rehabilitation for fatigue, breathing, and mental health". www.medicalnewstoday.com. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Huff, Charlotte (1 July 2020). "Delirium, PTSD, brain fog: The aftermath of surviving COVID-19". www.apa.org. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Liu, Kai; Zhang, Weitong; Yang, Yadong; Zhang, Jinpeng; Li, Yunqian; Chen, Ying (May 2020). "Respiratory rehabilitation in elderly patients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled study". Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 39: 101166. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101166. PMC 7118596. PMID 32379637.
- ^ Simpson, Robert; Robinson, Larry (April 2020). "Rehabilitation following critical illness in people with COVID-19 infection". American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 99 (6): 470–474. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000001443. PMC 7253039. PMID 32282359.
- ^ "Overview | COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 | Guidance | NICE". www.nice.org.uk. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
- ^ Harenwall, Sari; Heywood-Everett, Suzanne; Henderson, Rebecca; Godsell, Sherri; Jordan, Sarah; Moore, Angela; Philpot, Ursula; Shepherd, Kirsty; Smith, Joanne; Bland, Amy Rachel (2021). "Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life Following Psychology-Led Interdisciplinary Virtual Rehabilitation". Journal of Primary Care & Community Health. 12: 215013192110676. doi:10.1177/21501319211067674. ISSN 2150-1319. PMC 8721676. PMID 34939506.