Effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in post-COVID-19 patients: A pre- and post-interventional study

Background The need of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for COVID-19 patients with long-term effects was desperately felt. The study’s objective was to measure the effect of PR on functional capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with post COVID conditions. Methods Pulmonary me...

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Main Authors: Medha Deepak Bargaje, Priyasha Sharma, Jyoti Deepak Londhe, Sanjeevani Vishwanath Patil, Anita Tulsiramji Anokar, Purwa Prakash Doke, Jitendra Shankarlal Oswal, Prakash Prabhakarrao Doke, Kranti Laxman Rayamane, Nachiket Sandeep Sule, Aruna Bhimsen Deshpande
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Lung India
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_368_23
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Summary:Background The need of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for COVID-19 patients with long-term effects was desperately felt. The study’s objective was to measure the effect of PR on functional capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with post COVID conditions. Methods Pulmonary medicine department of a teaching hospital conducted this pre-experimental study. The patient underwent a pre and post-assessment, including a six-minute walk test (6MWT) measuring distance, oxygen desaturation, pulse rate, and HRQOL. The intervention had six components; education to patients and caregivers, breathlessness relieving exercises, postural correction, aerobic training, strength training, and stretching exercises. These activities were carried out twice a week for eight weeks, supervised, unsupervised in homes, and a combination. Results The study enrolled 155 post-COVID patients (Males, 102 and female, 53), out of which 28 (18.1%) had mild, 55 (35.5%) had moderate and 72 (46.5%) had severe COVID. Paired t-test showed improvement in resting pulse rate (P = 0.001) and resting oxygen saturation (P < 0.0001). Distance walking for six minutes increased after rehabilitation (P < 0.0001). After eight weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation, there was an improvement (P < 0.001) in all domains of quality of life, that is, mobility, self-care, pain and discomfort, usual activity, sleep, anxiety and depression. Conclusion Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial for post-COVID patients in improving their quality of life and six-minute walk test parameters, resulting in improved functional capacity and overall quality of life.
ISSN:0970-2113
0974-598X