Effects Of Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation On Physical Function, Pain And Fatigue In Individuals With Long Covid

Long COVID is an illness that affects about 10-20% of individuals who get infected by SARS-CoV2. In Iceland the prevalence of long COVID is estimated around 15% and half of them, 7-8%, have persistent symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, pain and brain fog, affecting on everyday function. Individuals with long-term symptoms are in need of appropriate rehabilitation to gain better health, function and quality of life. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation on individuals with long COVID symptoms focusing on education and physical exercise training. To assess whether they improved their physical function, experienced less pain and fatigue during daily life and if the benefits were maintained at a 6-month follow-up. METHODS: 108 participants, 41 male and 67 female, age 55.1 ± 12.6 years and BMI 30.5 ± 6.0 kg/m2, finished pre and post rehabilitation measurements. Outcomes used for physical function were, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1MSTS), 30 second arm-curl field test and grip strength. Magnitude of pain and fatigue was measured on a self-assessment reporting Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) from 0-10. Participants were measured at admission and discharge, and 57 participants were measured at 6-month follow-up. All participants took part in group education and a physical exercise training program individually tailored and had individualized therapies depending on their long COVID symptoms. RESULTS: All outcome measurements improved after rehabilitation. - PRE measurements POST measurements p-value 6MWT (meters) 569 ± 98 598 ± 100 <0.001 6MWT (% pred.) 105 ± 17 110 ± 18 <0.001 1MSTS (reps.) 24.0 ± 7.8 30.4 ± 9.8 <0.001 Arm-curl 30 sec (reps.) 18.2 ± 4.9 22.3 ± 5.6 <0.001 Grip strength (lbs.) 78.2 ± 26.8 83.1 ± 28.5 <0.001 Pain on NRS 6.0 ± 1.9 4.1 ± 2.0 <0.001 Fatigue on NRS 7.3 ± 1.6 4.8 ± 2.3 <0.001 The improvements were maintained at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this study a 6-week interdisciplinary rehabilitation program had beneficial effects on physical function, pain and fatigue. The improvements were maintained at a 6-month follow-up. The results indicate that rehabilitation has positive impact on the healing process in individuals with long COVID symptoms. Reykjalundur Research Fund