Feasibility and Efficacy of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation After COVID-19. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hermann, Matthias; Pekacka-Egli, Anna-Maria; Witassek, Fabienne; Baumgaertner, Reiner; Schoendorf, Sabine; Spielmanns, Marc
• Is Part Of: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. Volume 99:Number 10(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Rehabilitation -- Outcome -- 6-MWT -- Feeling Thermometer; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Medicine, Physical -- Periodicals; 617.062
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001549
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-9115

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic affects a large number of patients with a rapid progression of respiratory failure often requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit treatment in some patients. Survivors of severe COVID-19 experience persistent weakness and cardiorespiratory failure. Feasibility and potential benefit of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19 remains unclear. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of COVID-19 patients in a single-center inpatient rehabilitation clinic and describe performance and outcome during cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Patients were referred from acute care hospitals for rehabilitation after severe COVID-19. The cohort ( N = 28) was divided in ventilated or not ventilated patients for further analysis. Fifty percent were female, the mean age was 66 yrs, and patients stayed in the acute hospital for 19.3 ± 10.7 days before referral for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Seventeen patients (61%) needed previous intensive care unit treatment in the acute care hospital. Risk factors, assessments, and questionnaires on admission were comparable in both groups. Significant enhancements were observed in 6-min walking test and feeling thermometer, which were independent of previous ventilation status. In conclusion, comprehensive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19 is safe, feasible, and effective. Improvements in physical performance and subjective health status were independent of previous ventilation.