Safety and feasibility of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients hospitalized with post‐COVID‐19 fibrosis: A feasibility study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundEmerging data suggest a spectrum of pulmonary complications from COVID‐19, ranging from dyspnea to difficult ventilator weaning and fibrotic lung damage. Prolonged hospitalization is known to significantly affect activity levels, impair muscle strength and reduce cardiopulmonary endurance.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and safety of inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and to explore effects on functional capacity, physical performance, fatigue levels, and functional status.DesignA prospective feasibility study.SettingInpatient unit of a tertiary care hospital.ParticipantsTwenty‐five hospitalized patients diagnosed with post‐COVID‐19 fibrosis referred for PR.InterventionIndividualized PR intervention including breathing exercises, positioning, strengthening, functional training, and ambulation twice a day for 6 days a week.Outcome MeasuresOne‐minute sit‐to‐stand test (STST), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Post‐COVID‐19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS).ResultsTwenty‐five participants (19 males, 6 females) with a mean age of 54.2 ± 13.4 years were enrolled. Sixteen completed the two‐point assessment after undergoing in‐patient PR of mean duration 14.8 ± 9 days. PR led to a significant improvement in all functional outcomes that is, STST (from 7.1 ± 4.3 repetitions to 14.2 ± 2.1 repetitions, SPPB (from 5 ± 2.8 to 9.4 ± 1.5), FAS (from 33.3 ± 10.8 to 25.8 ± 4.7) at the p ≤ .001, and PCFS (from 3.6 ± 0.9 to 2.9 ± 1.2, p ≤ .05).ConclusionEarly initiation of PR for hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 fibrosis was safe, well tolerated, and feasible and may improve functional status.