Physical Therapy Management of a COVID-19 Patient on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) can be classified as a respiratory disease that ranges from pneumonia to critically ill cases. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a therapeutic procedure that can treat severe cases of respiratory failure. Hereby, the authors present, a 28-year-old case of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) young patient with COVID-19 on ECMO therapy, presenting with complaints of weakness, decreased mobility and function, and depression. The patient has received physical therapy interventions during the hospitalisation period. Respiratory, mobility, activity level, and psychological assessments were done before and after treatment using blood gases, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Mobility Scale, the University of Michigan scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale, respectively. There was an improvement in respiratory function, mobility (scores increased from 0 to 1), activity level (scores increased from 0 to 3), and psychological well-being (depression scores decreased from 18 to 15, and anxiety scores decreased from 20 to 14) after physical therapy. The treatment resulted in better recovery and prevented the worsening of the COVID-19 disease scenario.