An Update of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitative Measures in Long-COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review
Lubna Sattar *
Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, India.
Ngozi Amanze
American University of Antigua, Barbuda.
Filagot D. Eshete
Miami Valley Hospital, USA.
Ferdinand Ugwuja
Richmond Gabriel University, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Ahmed R. Abdelwahed
Menoufia University Faculty of Medicine, Egypt.
Chijioke Okonkwo
American University of Antigua, Barbuda.
Husna Shahnoor
Deccan College of Medical Sciences, India.
Halimah Aderinsola Adekoya
Washington University of Health and Sciences, Belize.
Durgaprasad Gadireddi
Bhaskar Medical College, India.
Olusayo Louise-Oluwasanmi
Howard University, USA.
Sidra Shahid Mubasher
University Medical and Dental College, Pakistan.
Agho Osamede
Oba Okunade Sijuade School of Medicine, Igbinedion University, Nigeria.
Ghulam Muhammad Humayun
Allama Iqbal Medical College, Pakistan.
Isabella Vittorino Mejia
Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Colombia.
Patrick Batti
American University of Antigua, Barbuda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The long-term effects of COVID-19 on patients have become an emergent concern. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various post-acute care interventions for COVID-19 patients.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The studies were independently evaluated by two reviewers based on their relevance to the research question, which pertains to the effectiveness of interventions such as home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, inspiratory muscle training, pharmacological treatments, and novel technological methods.
Results: Our review included seven studies, each demonstrating improvement in physical and respiratory function, as well as in quality of life, following diverse interventions. Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, with and without telecoaching, appeared to improve functional outcomes and decrease dyspnea and fatigue. Pharmacological interventions, such as Treamid, showed promise, particularly in women. EMG-driven rehabilitation robots demonstrated feasibility and safety, while H2 inhalation may also be a viable approach.
Conclusion: Post-acute care interventions, tailored to individual patient needs, can potentially improve health outcomes in COVID-19 patients. However, the heterogeneity of the included studies necessitates further large-scale randomized controlled trials to definitively ascertain the effectiveness of these interventions.
Keywords: COVID-19, post-acute care, pulmonary rehabilitation, inspiratory muscle training, pharmacological treatment, Telecoaching, H2 inhalation