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Rehabilitation Interventions for Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Stefania Fugazzaro

    (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento n.80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Angela Contri

    (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento n.80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
    Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio, Via del Pozzo n.74, 41100 Modena, Italy)

  • Otmen Esseroukh

    (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento n.80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Shaniko Kaleci

    (Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy)

  • Stefania Croci

    (Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Advanced Biotechnologies Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Marco Massari

    (Infectious Diseases Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Nicola Cosimo Facciolongo

    (Pulmonology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Giulia Besutti

    (Radiology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Mauro Iori

    (Medical Physics Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Carlo Salvarani

    (Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
    Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale—IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Stefania Costi

    (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento n.80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
    Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
    Members are listed in the Acknowledgments.)

Abstract

Increasing numbers of individuals suffer from post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), which manifests with persistent symptoms, the most prevalent being dyspnea, fatigue, and musculoskeletal, cognitive, and/or mental health impairments. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for individuals with PACS. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, CINHAL, Scopus, Prospero, and PEDro databases and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to November 2021. We screened 516 citations for eligibility, i.e., trials that included individuals with PACS exposed to exercise-based rehabilitation interventions. Five RCTs were included, accounting for 512 participants (aged 49.2–69.4 years, 65% males). Based on the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2.0), two RCTs had “low risk of bias”, and three were in the “some concerns” category. Three RCTs compared experimental rehabilitation interventions with no or minimal rehabilitation, while two compared two active rehabilitation interventions. Rehabilitation seemed to improve dyspnea, anxiety, and kinesiophobia. Results on pulmonary function were inconsistent, while improvements were detected in muscle strength, walking capacity, sit-to-stand performance, and quality of life. Pending further studies based on qualitatively sound designs, these first findings seem to advocate for rehabilitation interventions to lessen disability due to PACS.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Fugazzaro & Angela Contri & Otmen Esseroukh & Shaniko Kaleci & Stefania Croci & Marco Massari & Nicola Cosimo Facciolongo & Giulia Besutti & Mauro Iori & Carlo Salvarani & Stefania Costi, 2022. "Rehabilitation Interventions for Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5185-:d:801314
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Houben & Bruno Bonnechère, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Cognitive Function and the Implication for Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Durita Viderø Gunnarsson & Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak & Johanna Kølle Pedersen & Henrik Hansen & Daria Podlekareva & Stine Johnsen & Christian Have Dall, 2023. "Physical Function and Association with Cognitive Function in Patients in a Post-COVID-19 Clinic—A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Olivier Van Hove & Alexis Gillet & Jérôme Tack & Gregory Reychler & Magda Guatteri & Asuncion Ballarin & Justine Thomas & Rolando Espinoza & Frédéric Bonnier & Michelle Norrenberg & Pauline Daniel & M, 2022. "Development of a Medium Care Unit Using an Inexperienced Respiratory Staff: Lessons Learned during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Radha Ambalavanan & R Sterling Snead & Julia Marczika & Karina Kozinsky & Edris Aman, 2023. "Advancing the Management of Long COVID by Integrating into Health Informatics Domain: Current and Future Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-21, September.

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