A tele-health primary care rehabilitation program improves self-perceived exertion in COVID-19 survivors experiencing Post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea: A quasi-experimental study

• Published in: PloS one 2022-01, Vol.17 (8)
• Main Authors: José Calvo-Paniagua, María José Díaz-Arribas, Juan Antonio Valera-Calero, María Isabel Gallardo-Vidal, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva, Tamara del Corral, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1932-6203

Background Current evidence suggests that up to 70% of COVID-19 survivors develop post-COVID symptoms during the following months after infection. Fatigue and dyspnea seem to be the most prevalent post-COVID symptoms. Objective To analyze whether a tele-rehabilitation exercise program is able to improve self-perceived physical exertion in patients with post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea. Methods Sixty-eight COVID-19 survivors exhibiting post-COVID fatigue and dyspnea derived to four Primary Health Care centers located in Madrid were enrolled in this quasi-experimental study. A tele-rehabilitation program based on patient education, physical activity, airway clearing, and breathing exercise interventions was structured on eighteen sessions (3 sessions/week). Self-perceived physical exertion during daily living activities, dyspnea severity, health-related quality of life and distance walked and changes in oxygen saturation and heart rate during the 6-Minute walking test were assessed at baseline, after the program and at 1- and 3-months follow-up periods. Results Daily living activities, dyspnea severity and quality of life improved significantly at all follow-ups (p