Rehabilitation impact on the work ability and functional status of hospitalized COVID-19 survivors

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the work is to determine the rehabilitation impact on the work ability and functional status of the hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. Materials and methods. The study covered 163 probands (101 women; 62 men) from the Prešov Region (Slovakia) that were hospitalized with COVID-19 disease. Age of the subjects ranged from 32 to 62 years. The experimental group contained 87 patients (55 women; 32 men) and underwent inpatient rehabilitation treatment during their stay in the hospital. The control group consisted of 76 patients (46 women; 30 men), who were not provided with the rehabilitation treatment. In all probands, we assessed the work ability index (WAI) and a Patient self-report methods for the Post-Covid-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS). Results. The experimental group of patients after returning to work showed significantly higher work ability (p = 0.005) and functional status (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. Patients with psychologically demanding type of work that underwent rehabilitation treatment had also significantly higher work ability (p = 0.022) and functional status (p = 0.042) compared with the other group. Similar results were recorded among the probands with a combination of both types of work – physically and psychologically demanding (p < 0.001). In the physically demanding type of work, the result was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusions. The inpatient form of rehabilitation for the patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has a beneficial effect on the work ability and functional status after discharge from the hospital.