Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional capacity and emotional status in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome: an interim analysis

Background: Patients suffering from long COVID-19 syndrome have reduced emotional status) and impaired functional capacity; the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on emotional status and functional capacity remain inconclusive. Aim: To investigate the effect of a hybrid PR program on QoL, emotional status and functional capacity in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: 15 patients (age (mean±SD): 55±14 yrs.) with excessive fatigue due to COVID-19 syndrome (FACIT score (25±11) were allocated to PR (n=10) or usual care (UC) (n=5), 85±29 days following hospital discharge. PR consisted of 8 outpatient PR sessions (twice weekly for 4 weeks), and 24 home-based PR sessions (3 times/week for 8 weeks). Patients in the UC declined PR and instructed to be physically active. Psychological status was assessed via HADS and Impact Event Scale–Revised (IES-R). Functional capacity was assessed via SPPB, 6MWD, and steps/day. Results: Data are presented in table 1. Conclusions: PR improves QoL and functional capacity in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome. Table 1: Asterisks denote within group differences at p<0.05