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Journal Article Review Epublish 44 citations

PubMed: 37626710 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082213

Efficacy of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Biomedicines 11(8)

Authors: Erika Meléndez-Oliva, Oliver Martínez-Pozas, Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar, Jorge Hugo Villafañe, Laura Jiménez-Ortega, Eleuterio A Sánchez-Romero

Affiliations

  • Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Valencia, Pg. de l'Albereda, 7, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
  • Interdisciplinary Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.
  • Physiotherapy and Orofacial Pain Working Group, Sociedad Española de Disfunción Craneomandibular y Dolor Orofacial (SEDCYDO), 28009 Madrid, Spain.
  • Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Alcorcón, Spain.
  • Grupo de Investigación en Fisioterapia y Dolor, Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
  • Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain.
  • Physical Therapy Unit, Primary Health Care Center "El Abajón", 28231 Madrid, Spain.
  • IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, 20148 Milan, Italy.
  • Department of Psychobiology and Behavioral Sciences Methods, Faculty of Odontology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
  • Center of Human Evolution and Behavior, Carlos III Health Institute, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how pulmonary rehabilitation impacts in patients suffering from subacute and long COVID-19 infections, gauging enhancements in of dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, psychological state (anxiety and depression), and fatigue.

METHODS

Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for full-text articles published from inception to January 2023. Randomized, quasi-experimental, and observational studies were included, with adults diagnosed with subacute or long COVID-19 who received pulmonary rehabilitation as intervention. Outcomes related to dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, fatigue, and psychological status were included. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials and Risk of bias in non-randomized studies of intervention. The review was registered before starting in PROSPERO (CRD: 42022373075).

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies were included, involving 1970 patients with subacute and long COVID-19. The meta-analysis demonstrated moderate to large effects on dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, and depressive symptoms compared to usual care intervention. No significant differences were found in fatigue compared to usual care, nor in anxiety levels after pulmonary rehabilitation intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary rehabilitation has the potential to improve health outcomes in patients with subacute and long COVID-19. However, due to the high risk of bias of included studies, conclusions should be taken with caution.

MeSH

Dyspnea, Fatigue, Exercise, Quality Of Life, Rehabilitation, Covid-19

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