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Effects of Aerobic Training in Patients with Subacute COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Stefano Corna

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Veruno Institute, 28013 Gattico-Veruno, Italy)

  • Marica Giardini

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Veruno Institute, 28013 Gattico-Veruno, Italy)

  • Marco Godi

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Veruno Institute, 28013 Gattico-Veruno, Italy)

  • Lucia Bellotti

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Veruno Institute, 28013 Gattico-Veruno, Italy)

  • Ilaria Arcolin

    (Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Veruno Institute, 28013 Gattico-Veruno, Italy)

Abstract

Many clinical practice recommendations indicate rehabilitation as essential for patients with sequelae of severe or critical COVID-19 and suggest the prompt initiation of a multicomponent rehabilitation program focused on aerobic and endurance training. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding aerobic exercise are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the addition of aerobic training to standard rehabilitation in subjects with subacute COVID-19. Participants were 32/214 patients with the sequelae of severe or critical COVID-19 in the acute phase who were eligible and agreed to participate in the study (eligibility = 15%, recruitment = 100%). After randomization and assessment with functional and strength tests, all the participants underwent an inpatient-tailored rehabilitation program (50 min/day, 5 days/week, 10 sessions); in addition, the experimental group performed a low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (30 min/day, 10 sessions). No dropouts or severe adverse events were reported, with an attendance rate of 95.6%. Most of the secondary outcomes significantly improved in both groups, but the improvement in the Functional Independence Measure and Cumulated Ambulation Score—Italian version was significantly greater in the experimental group (at least, p < 0.05). This RCT showed that aerobic exercise is feasible and safe in subacute COVID-19. Moreover, it appears to be beneficial and useful in improving patients’ independence and mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano Corna & Marica Giardini & Marco Godi & Lucia Bellotti & Ilaria Arcolin, 2022. "Effects of Aerobic Training in Patients with Subacute COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16383-:d:995722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amaya Jimeno-Almazán & Jesús G. Pallarés & Ángel Buendía-Romero & Alejandro Martínez-Cava & Francisco Franco-López & Bernardino J. Sánchez-Alcaraz Martínez & Enrique Bernal-Morel & Javier Courel-Ibáñe, 2021. "Post-COVID-19 Syndrome and the Potential Benefits of Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Marica Giardini & Ilaria Arcolin & Marco Godi & Simone Guglielmetti & Alessandro Maretti & Armando Capelli & Stefano Corna, 2022. "The Coronavirus Footprint on Dual-Task Performance in Post-Acute Patients after Severe COVID-19: A Future Challenge for Rehabilitation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Gilbert Büsching & Zhongxing Zhang & Jean-Paul Schmid & Thomas Sigrist & Ramin Khatami, 2021. "Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Severe and Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Controlled Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Amir Hossein Ahmadi Hekmatikar & João Batista Ferreira Júnior & Shahnaz Shahrbanian & Katsuhiko Suzuki, 2022. "Functional and Psychological Changes after Exercise Training in Post-COVID-19 Patients Discharged from the Hospital: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-11, February.
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