Use of the speed achieved on the 6MWT for programming aerobic training in patients recovering from severe COVID-19: an observational study

Abstract

Introduction Patients who suffered severe COVID-19 need pulmonary rehabilitation. Training may be prescribed objectively based on the maximum speed in the six-minute walk test. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a personalized pulmonary rehabilitation program based on the six-minute walk test speed for post-COVID-19 patients. Methods Observational quasi-experimental study. The pulmonary rehabilitation program consisted of 8 weeks of training, twice a week for 60 minutes per session of supervised exercise. Additionally, the patients carried out home respiratory training. Patients were evaluated by exercise test, spirometry and the Fatigue Assessment Scale before and after the eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation program. Results After the pulmonary rehabilitation program, forced vital capacity increased from 2.47 ± 0.60 to 3.06 ± 0.77 L ( p < .001) and the six-minute walk test result increased from 363.50 ± 88.87 to 480.9 ± 59.25 m ( p < .001). In fatigue perception, a significant decrease was observed, from 24.92 ± 7.01 to 19.10 ± 7.07 points ( p < .01). Isotime evaluation of the Incremental Test and the Continuous Test showed a significant reduction in heart rate, dyspnoea and fatigue. Conclusion The eight-week personalized pulmonary rehabilitation program prescribed on the basis of the six-minute walk test speed improved respiratory function, fatigue perception and the six-minute walk test result in post-COVID-19 patients. KEY MESSAGES COVID-19 is a multisystem disease with common complications affecting the respiratory, cardiac and musculoskeletal systems. The 6MWT speed-based training plan allowed for increased speed and incline during the eight-week RP program. Aerobic, strength and flexibility training reduced HR, dyspnoea and fatigue in severe post-COVID-19 patients.

A pulmonary rehabilitation program is an effective strategy to improve forced vital capacity, muscle strength, and functional exercise capacity similarly in adults and older people with post-severe COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation

“…The study was conducted between September 2020 and March 2021 and was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Central Metropolitan Health Service, Chile (Resolution N° 378/2021). This study is part of a larger project with previous publications providing preliminary results or secondary analyses [ 14 , 15 ]. All the participants were informed about the procedures of this study, agreed to participate, and signed the informed consent.…”

A pulmonary rehabilitation program is an effective strategy to improve forced vital capacity, muscle strength, and functional exercise capacity similarly in adults and older people with post-severe COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation

“…to conclude that a PR program could be safe, feasible, and effective in patients post COVID-19 after the acute stage, thereby improving their pulmonary function, strength, and quality of life [18]. Thus, PR has proven to be an intervention model with multisystemic impact, which generates signi cant improvements in the cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal systems, regardless of the severity of the clinical picture [12,13].…”

“…The study was conducted between September 2020 and March 2021 and was approved by the Scienti c Ethics Committee of the Central Metropolitan Health Service, Chile (Resolution N° 378/2021). This study is part of a larger project with previous publications providing preliminary results or secondary analyses [12,13]. All the participants were informed about the procedures of this study, agreed to participate, and signed the informed consent.…”

“…The strength training of the inspiratory muscles was done at each patient's home address (2x per day, 5x/ week). The PR program has been detailed in previous publications [12,13].…”

Impacto de un Programa de Recuperación Funcional en Músculos Ventilatorios y Apendiculares en Pacientes Post-ventilación Mecánica por COVID-19

“…Las sesiones de ejercicio se realizaron dos veces por semana durante 3 meses (noviembre del 2020 a enero del 2021). Cada sesión se dividió en 30 minutos de ejercicio aeróbico, 20 minutos de ejercicio de fuerza muscular de miembros superiores e inferiores y 10 minutos de recuperación Del Valle et al, 2023). Las sesiones fueron dirigidas y supervisadas por un kinesiólogo.…”