Investigation of Cardiopulmonary Capacity, Respiratory Functions, Dyspnea, Physical Activity, Cognition, and Quality of Life of COVID-19 Vaccinated Individuals: Preliminary Report

This study compared CoronaVac-vaccinated individuals with BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals regarding cardiopulmonary capacity, pulmonary functions, dyspnea, physical activity, cognition, and quality of life. This observational report had a comparative and cross-sectional design. Thirteen individuals with BNT162b2 vaccination and seven with CoronaVac vaccination participated in the study. People aged 18-65 years who had received only two doses of one type of vaccine were included in the study. Cardiopulmonary capacity, respiratory functions, dyspnea, physical activity, and cognition were evaluated using a 6minute walk test, spirometry, the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively. As sub-fields of health-related quality of life, physical functioning, pain, role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health were assessed using the Short Form-36. There were some significant differences between groups in pain (t =2.60, p = .018, d = 1.22), emotional well-being (t = 2.34, p = .031, d = 1.10), and social functioning (U = 18.0, p = .026, rrb = .604). Cardiopulmonary capacity, respiratory functions, dyspnea, physical activity, cognition, and other sub-fields of health-related quality of life were not significantly different between groups (p > .05). CoronaVac-vaccinated individuals showed better results in pain, emotional well-being, and social functioning. However, future studies with a larger sample size are needed.