Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Exercise Capacity in Post Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is a systemic disease; the lungs are most commonly affected, with histopathological findings that may include diffuse alveolar epithelium destruction, capillary damage or bleeding, hyaline membrane formation, alveolar septal fibrous proliferation, and pulmonary consolidation. Method: This study was designed as experimental, randomized double-blinded study. Participate divided into two groups- the pulmonary rehabilitation group(Group A) and control group(Group B). The inclusion criteria were patient with confirmed case of infection of COVID-19 was defined by RT-PCR assay on nasopharyngeal swab; aged 20 to 55 years; Hospitalised due to severity of covid-19 symptoms, persistent high grade fever>1000 F, breathlessness, increase in dry cough), ≥3 months after any hospital discharge related to COVID-19 infection, regardless of need for critical care or ventilator support., Any persistent sequel of COVID- 19. All participants were explained the study protocol and they were enrolled in protocol after their written consent for this study. 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) was taken before and after the study protocol. Within group analysis using Wilcoxon signed Rank test. Between group analysis using Mann-Whitney Test. Level of significance was kept at p<0.005. Results: Within group analysis showed statistically significant difference in Group A (Z=-5.076,p=0.0001) whereas no statistically difference in Group B (Z=-2.160 ,p=0.078). Comparison of end of 8 weeks intervention data which shows that there is statistically significant difference in both the groups(U=45, p =0.001) Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation is possible and effective therapeutic strategy to improve the aerobic capacity and improve quality of life post-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Keywords: COVID-19, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Aerobic capacity