Possibilities of post-COVID medical rehabilitation in the context of the ongoing pandemic
Abstract
Introduction. Effective and available rehabilitation methods are necessary in the context of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 (CoronaVirus Disease 2019).The objective was to develop a personalized rehabilitation program for patients who have undergone COVID-19 based on the proven effectiveness of methods.Methods and materials. Three months after COVID-19, 855 patients were examined by the method of standardized phone interview, according to the rehabilitation routing scale (RRS). 200 patients have got through the 10-days inpatient rehabilitation course. Breathing exercises, exercise regimen designed to strengthen basic muscles groups, Nordic walking were used. The physical activity level, heart rate and saturation (SpO2) have been monitored by wearable devices (fitness-trackers) during 3 months.Results. Inpatient rehabilitation was required for 1 % of patients, outpatient – 19 %. 42 % did not need rehabilitation, but they had respiratory symptoms and decreased exercise tolerance. There was an improvement in flexibility, muscle strength; the duration of breath holding, 6-minutes walk test, exercise tolerance test; reducing the severity of shortness of breath (mMRC scale) and respiratory symptoms (САТ scale). The achieved level of daily physical activity was maintained for 3 months after the end of the rehabilitative program.Сonclusion. Using the rehabilitation routing scale in the post-COVID period allows stratifying patients according to the degree of need for rehabilitation. Clinically significant and persistent positive effect in most patients can be achieved by physiotherapy methods during 10-days course. Wearable devices of monitoring biometric data are useful additional instruments for monitoring recovery after COVID-19.
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