Influence of physiotherapy on exercise tolerance in patients after COVID-19

Klaudia Pompka, Katarzyna Bogacz, Jacek Łuniewski, Krystyna Rasławska, Ewa Jach, Igor Świerkowski, Jan Szczegielniak

Klaudia Pompka, Katarzyna Bogacz, Jacek Łuniewski, Krystyna Rasławska, Ewa Jach, Igor Świerkowski, Jan Szczegielniak – Influence of physiotherapy on exercise tolerance in patients after COVID-19. Fizjoterapia Polska 2021; 21(5); 182-189

Abstract
Patients after severe COVID-19 need effective treatment and full medical care. An important aspect of a successful recovery is the implementation of comprehensive rehabilitation. Rehabilitation for convalescents is primarily aimed at restoring or improving the proper functioning of the respiratory system, reducing the severity of the symptoms of the disease and disorders related to comorbidities, as well as increasing the physical efficiency of the body. Objective. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of endurance training on exercise tolerance using the 6-minute walk test in patients with a history of COVID-19.
Material and methods. Thirty patients after COVID-19 were examined, including 12 women (40%) and 18 men (60%) aged 35 to 75 years. The mean age in the study group was 55 years, SD = 10.9.
Before rehabilitation, all patients underwent a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in order to qualify for the appropriate rehabilitation model. The following parameters were analysed: test time, distance travelled, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, and the reasons for the termination of the test. All COVID-19 patients are covered by the rehabilitation program for patients after COVID-19, which came into force on the basis of the Regulation of the Minister of Health of July 13, 2020 (Journal of Laws, item 1246) on a pilot program in the field of therapeutic rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19.
The distance in the 6-minute walk test in the entire group after rehabilitation increased by an average of 11.8% (from 531.7 ± 97 m to 601.2 ± 86.4 m). Analysing the presented results of studies describing the effect of endurance training on exercise tolerance in patients after COVID-19, no statistically significant differences were found between the age group <55 and the age group ≥ 55.
Conclusions. 1. A 3-week rehabilitation program after COVID-19, the basis of which was endurance training based on exercise on a cycle ergometer, has a positive effect on exercise tolerance in patients measured on the basis of the distance walked during the 6-minute walk (6MWT). 2. In the analysed study, a significant improvement was observed in patients aged ≥ 55 who achieved the shortest distance during the initial 6MWT test.
Key words:
COVID-19, physiotherapy, exercise tolerance
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