Whole-Body Cryostimulation in Post-COVID Rehabilitation for Patients with Obesity: A Multidisciplinary Feasibility Study
Jacopo Maria Fontana,
Angelo Alito,
Paolo Piterà,
Federica Verme,
Stefania Cattaldo,
Mauro Cornacchia,
Stefania Mai,
Amelia Brunani,
Paolo Capodaglio
Affiliations
Jacopo Maria Fontana
Research Laboratory in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Angelo Alito
Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
Paolo Piterà
Research Laboratory in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Federica Verme
Research Laboratory in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Stefania Cattaldo
Laboratory of Clinical Neurobiology, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Mauro Cornacchia
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Stefania Mai
Laboratory of Metabolic Research, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Amelia Brunani
Research Laboratory in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Paolo Capodaglio
Research Laboratory in Biomechanics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, IRCCS, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, San Giuseppe Hospital, 28824 Piancavallo, Italy
Background: A post-COVID condition can reduce activity and quality of life, resulting in a significant socioeconomic and health burden. Understanding its impact on patients’ health is important for the development of personalized rehabilitation interventions. An independent association between obesity and post-COVID condition was found because of complications and comorbidities. Methods: Sixteen patients with obesity and post-COVID symptoms (i.e., dyspnea, pain, poor sleep quality, muscle fatigue), admitted to the Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piancavallo (VB), Italy, were recruited for a four-week rehabilitation program including conventional exercise therapy, nutritional intervention, psychological support and whole-body cryostimulation (WBC). Results: All participants attended all sessions of the program. Anthropometric data showed statistically significant changes in weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Biochemical analyses showed significant reductions in lipid and inflammatory profiles. There was a significant improvement in physical performance, reduction in pain and improvement in psychological well-being. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary rehabilitation protocol including WBC, designed for patients with obesity and a post-COVID condition, is safe and feasible. The overall improvements demonstrate that multidisciplinary rehabilitation was effective on post COVID patients and suggest that the use of WBC is safe and could play a role as a booster in rehabilitation programs.