Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients Recovering from COVID-19

• Published in: Respiration Vol. 100; no. 5; pp. 416 - 422
• Main Authors: Zampogna, Elisabetta, Paneroni, Mara, Belli, Stefano, Aliani, Maria, Gandolfo, Alessandra, Visca, Dina, Bellanti, Maria Teresa, Ambrosino, Nicolino, Vitacca, Michele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Aged; Clinical Investigations; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - rehabilitation; Disabled Persons - rehabilitation; Dyspnea - etiology; Dyspnea - rehabilitation; Evaluation; Exercise Test; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Pulmonary function tests; Recovery of function; Respiratory Therapy; Retrospective Studies; Italy; Dyspnoea; Exercise training; Exercise capacity; Pulmonary rehabilitation
• ISSN: 0025-7931; 1423-0356; 1423-0356
• DOI: 10.1159/000514387

Background: In hospitalized patients recovering from the SARS-coronavirus-2 disease 19 (COVID-19), high prevalence of muscle weakness and physical performance impairment has been observed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in these subjects in a real-life setting. Methods: Retrospective data analysis of patients recovering from COVID-19, including those requiring assisted ventilation or oxygen therapy, consecutively admitted to an in-patient pulmonary rehabilitation program between April 1 and August 15, 2020. Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB: primary outcome), Barthel Index (BI), and six-min walking distance were assessed as outcome measures. Results: Data of 140 patients were analyzed. After rehabilitation, patients showed improvements in SPPB {from: (median [IQR]) 0.5 (0–7) to 7 (4–10), p < 0.001} and BI (from 55 [30–90] to 95 [65–100], p < 0.001), as well as in other assessed outcome measures. The proportion of patients unable at admission to stand, rise from a chair and walk was significantly reduced (p < 0.00). Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is possible and effective in patients recovering from COVID-19. Our findings may be useful to guide clinicians taking care of patients surviving COVID-19 infection.