Physical and psychological reconditioning in long COVID syndrome: Results of an out-of-hospital exercise and psychological - based rehabilitation program

Autor: Silvia Compagno, Stefano Palermi, Valentina Pescatore, Erica Brugin, Marzia Sarto, Ruggero Marin, Valli Calzavara, Manuele Nizzetto, Moreno Scevola, Accurso Aloi, Alessandro Biffi, Carlo Zanella, Giovanni Carretta, Silvia Gallo, Franco Giada
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Cardiology: Heart & Vasculature, Vol 41, Iss , Pp 101080- (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2352-9067
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101080
Popis: Background: Long Covid Syndrome (LCS) is used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after acute COVID-19 infection. Natural history and treatment of this syndrome are still poorly understood, even if evidences suggest the potential role of physical rehabilitation in improving symptoms in these patients. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness, safety and feasibility of an out-of-hospital multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) program, based both on physical and psychological reconditioning, in reducing symptoms and improving physical fitness and psychological parameters in patients with LCS. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with LCS (18 males, mean age 58 years) underwent an accurate medical screening process including anthropometric and muscular strength evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise test, quality of life (QoL) and psychological appraisal before and after a MDR program. Results: At baseline, all LCS patients were strongly symptomatic and showed severe impairments in physical performance, QoL and psychological parameters. No adverse effects and dropouts were observed during the exercise training sessions. After the MDR program, COVID-19 residual symptoms significantly decreased, and significant improvements in upper and lower limb muscular strength, cardiopulmonary parameters, perceived physical and mental health, depression and anxiety were observed. Conclusions: The present study confirms the severe physical and psychological impairment of patients with LCS and suggests that a MDR program is effective, safe and feasible in these patients and could promote their physical and psychological recovery.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals