A IMPORTÂNCIA E ATUAÇÃO DA FISIOTERAPIA EM PACIENTES PÓS COVID 19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant number of patients with persistent sequelae, impacting their quality of life and functionality. This study aimed to analyze the frequency of physiotherapeutic treatment in post-COVID-19 patients, describe the intervention methods used, and evaluate patients' perception of physiotherapy's effectiveness in recovery. A descriptive and quantitative study was conducted with 32 participants who recovered from COVID-19, using an online questionnaire. Results showed that 71.9% of participants sought physiotherapeutic treatment. The most prevalent sequelae were respiratory difficulty (50.0%), persistent fatigue (43.8%), and muscle weakness (37.5%). Among those who underwent physiotherapy, 100% reported some level of improvement (78.3% significant, 21.7% moderate), with most perceiving results within two months. Respiratory exercises (78.3%) and muscle strengthening exercises (65.2%) were the most commonly used methods. Adherence to home guidelines was high (95.6% followed regularly or occasionally). Notably, 96.9% of participants considered physiotherapy essential for complete recovery. It is concluded that physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation, being perceived by patients as an effective and indispensable intervention for functional recovery and improved quality of life.