Effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients after COVID-19: example interventions and recommendations.

Authors

Adam Łątka, Orthopedical Physiotherapy at the X-rehab Rehabilitation Center, Gliwice, PolandFollow
Tomasz Król, Department of Kinesitherapy and Special Methods, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, PolandFollow
Michał Kuszewski, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, PolandFollow
Piotr Król, Institute of Sport Science, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, PolandFollow
Alicja Kasprzak, Neurological Physiotherapy at the X-rehab Rehabilitation Center, Gliwice, PolandFollow
Anna Brzęk, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, PolandFollow

Abstract

Background: Rehabilitation after COVID-19 plays a vital role in the lengthy treatment process, contributing to the acceleration of recovery and minimizing the effects of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients after COVID-19. An attempt was made to assess whether the rehabilitation changed spirometric indices, cardiopulmonary efficiency and the subjective quantification of dyspnea. Material and methods: The study, conducted from March to May 2022, involved 52 individuals aged 25 to 71 years (50.48 ± 11.6) divided into the study group, undergoing three weeks of outpatient rehabilitation, and the control group. Both groups underwent the same assessments, i.e., oxygen saturation, heart rate, cardiopulmonary efficiency (exercise test), and subjective quantification of dyspnea. Results: Improvements in respiratory parameters (p < 0.0000), cardiopulmonary efficiency (p < 0.000), and dyspnea severity (p < 0.00) were observed. Respiratory parameters, i.e., peak expiratory flow, relative maximum oxygen consumption and oxygen pulse were stabilized. A lack of satisfactory results was only observed for forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and minute ventilation. Conclusions: The study showed that the adopted rehabilitation program proved effective, providing an example solution for patients after COVID-19, including long COVID.

Recommended Citation

Latka A, Krol T, Kuszewski M, Krol P, Kasprzak A, Brzek A. Effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients after COVID-19: Example interventions and recommendations. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(4):Article4. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.4.04

Author ORCID Identifier

Adam ŁĄTKA ORCID: 0009-0005-5140-2135

Tomasz KRÓL ORCID: 0000-0002-0954-5117

Michał KUSZEWSKI ORCID: 0000-0002-9569-6017

Piotr KRÓL ORCID: 0000-0001-7673-4375

Alicja KASPRZAK ORCID: 0000-0002-6396-2245

Anna BRZĘK ORCID: 0000-0002-2321-2888

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.