Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Institute Medical Science (영남대 의대 학술지 편집위원회)
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Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on patients with acute COVID-19: a single-center case series

  • Son Mi Lee (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seoul Medical Center) ;
  • Min Woo Kim (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seoul Medical Center) ;
  • Donghyun Shin (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seoul Medical Center) ;
  • Songi Han (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seoul Medical Center) ;
  • Ju Sun Oh (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Seoul Medical Center)
  • Received : 2022.08.25
  • Accepted : 2022.09.14
  • Published : 2023.07.31
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Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been ongoing for more than 2 years. Many patients who recover from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection continue to have aftereffects such as dyspnea and fatigue, which may lead to functional decline. Therefore, the need for managing these symptoms using methods such as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has emerged. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of PR in five patients with acute COVID-19. PR was performed in patients with persistent dyspnea and oxygen demand after COVID-19. All five patients were able to maintain an independent functional status before COVID-19. However, after acute COVID-19, they were unable to walk independently and needed assistance for activities of daily living due to dyspnea and fatigue. Therefore, they were referred to rehabilitation units, and PR was performed. The modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), 6-minute walking test, forced vital capacity, and grip strength were assessed before and after PR, and the results were compared. After PR, the parameters improved, except for the MEP in one patient (patient 3) and the grip strength in another patient (patient 4). After PR, two out of five patients returned to work and the other three returned home. Therefore, we conclude that PR is necessary for patients with acute COVID-19 with activity limitations.

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References

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