Abstract:

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires a multidisciplinary approach owing to its multisystem involvement. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be required in patients with COVID-19. In our study, we aimed to examine the effect of the pulmonary rehabilitation program applied after the acute period of back pain in patients with severe pulmonary involvement, dyspnea and health profiles of the patients. Method: In our retrospectively planned study, 50 patients with advanced pulmonary involvement who were treated for COVID-19 and discharged from the hospital and who were diagnosed with shortness of breath, back pain and difficulties in daily living activities in the 1st month chest diseases polyclinic controls and who were given a pulmonary rehabilitation program for a period of 1 month were included in our study. Before and 1 month after the pulmonary rehabilitation program, back pain was evaluated with the VAS, respiratory functions were evaluated with the Modified Medical Research Council Scale, and activities of daily living were evaluated with the Notthingham scale. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the beginning and the end of the pulmonary rehabilitation program in the Modified Medical Research Council Scale scores (p<0.001) and back pain VAS scores (p<0.001) was detected. Moreover, it was obtained significant improvement at baseline scores of “The Nottingham Health Profile” scores after the pulmonary rehabilitation program in all subgroups (NHP “pain”: p<0.001, NHP “emotional reactions”: p<0.001, NHP “sleep”: p<0.001, NHP “social isolation”: p<0.001, NHP “physical activity”: p<0.001, NHP “energy level”: p<0.001). Conclusion: Post-COVID syndrome treatment and follow-up are important for early prevention. The pulmonary rehabilitation program applied after the acute period of with severe lung involvement COVID-19 has been seen to improve back pain, dyspnea symptoms and health profile. There is a need for new randomized controlled studies on this subject.

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