Early physical rehabilitation in intensive care unit and its impact on Post-COVID syndrome manifestations

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis, notably through long COVID, which significantly affects the quality of life of patients’ post-discharge from hospital care. Long COVID is characterized by prolonged symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairments, depression, and anxiety. Early physical rehabilitation is a crucial component of patient recovery; however, the optimal frequency and intensity of rehabilitation interventions remain unclear. Aim. To evaluate the effects of various physical rehabilitation regimens on functional status, cognitive functions, psychosocial state, and manifestations of post-COVID syndrome in patients who underwent severe COVID-19. Materials and Methods. 102 patients with confirmed COVID-19 requiring treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were included in the study. They were divided into groups based on the number of rehabilitation sessions per day: Group I received one session, while Group II received two. Physical rehabilitation included changing the body position in bed, verticalization and breathing exercises. We assessed average values for physical functional status, cognitive functions, and psychosocial condition at discharge, along with post-COVID symptom severity 5–7 days after discharge. Results. Increasing the number of rehabilitation sessions led to better psychosocial outcomes and reduced manifestations of post-COVID syndrome. However, in the short-term, increasing session frequency did not yield statistically significant improvements in cognitive functions or physical status. Conclusions. Early physical rehabilitation in ICU is vital for reducing manifestations of post-COVID syndrome in severe COVID-19 patients. Enhanced physical activity not only improves mental health but also helps alleviate physical symptoms. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of rehabilitation and a holistic approach to supporting patient recovery. Keywords: mobilization of patients, early activation of patient, COVID-19, ICU.