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Journal Article Systematic Review Network Meta-Analysis Ppublish 2 citations

PubMed: 39235257 DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.24.08540-X

Effectiveness of telerehabilitation versus face-to-face pulmonary rehabilitation on physical function and quality of life in people with post COVID-19 condition: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 60(5):868-877

Authors: Oliver Martínez-Pozas, Camilo Corbellini, Juan N Cuenca-Zaldívar, Érika Meléndez-Oliva, Pierluigi Sinatti, Eleuterio A Sánchez Romero

Affiliations

  • International Postgraduate School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Spain -.
  • Physiotherapy and Orofacial Pain Working Group, Spanish Society of Craniomandibular Dysfunction and Orofacial Pain (SEDCYDO), Madrid, Spain -.
  • Interdisciplinary Research Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain -.
  • Cognitive Neuroscience, Pain, and Rehabilitation Research Group (NECODOR), Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain -.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, Differdange, Luxembourg.
  • Luxembourg Health and Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l. Differdange, Luxembourg.
  • Interdisciplinary Research Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain. Grupo de Investigación en Fisioterapia y Dolor, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Faculdad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Majadahonda, Spain. Physical Therapy Unit, Primary Health Care Center "El Abajón" Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain.
  • Physiotherapy and Orofacial Pain Working Group, Spanish Society of Craniomandibular Dysfunction and Orofacial Pain (SEDCYDO), Madrid, Spain.
  • Interdisciplinary Research Group on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
  • Quality of Life and Health Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, European University of Valencia - Campus Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.
  • IPPOCRATE Centro Medico Specialistico, Ladispoli, Rome, Italy.
  • Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), Majadahonda, Spain.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) is characterized by the persistence of symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection for more than 12 weeks, with worsening quality of life and physical function deconditioning being among the most commonly reported persistent symptoms. Pulmonary rehabilitation has emerged as a safe and viable option for these patients. Administered either face-to-face (FTF) or telemedicine (TL), it has been shown to improve symptoms associated with PCC. However, little is known about which approach is best for this population. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis on the efficacy of FTF versus TL compared to usual care in improving physical function and quality of life (physical and mental) in patients with PCC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed from 2020 to January 5 th, 2024. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment; this selection included only randomized controlled trials. A network meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects of FTF and TL with usual care. Multivariate and univariate analysis were performed to evaluate the best intervention.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Data were extracted from 10 studies, five of which were treated with FTF and five of which were TL, involving 765 adults with PCC, ranging in age from 22 to 66 years. Interventions consisted of isolated or combined exercises (aerobic, resistance, breathing) and lasted between three and ten weeks in most of the included studies. Multivariate analysis found that FTF produced significant differences compared to TL or usual care with moderate quality of evidence. Univariate analysis found that significant differences were only found for physical function and mental domain of quality of life for TL vs. usual care, with moderate quality of evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the use of FTF as a therapy to improve physical function and quality of life in patients with PCC. However, in the absence of differences between FTF and TL in the univariate model for any of the outcomes studied, the choice of the form of pulmonary rehabilitation administration should be individualized. Future studies should compare FTF with TL directly to clarify which is the best approach.

MeSH

Physical And Rehabilitation Medicine, Quality Of Life, Rehabilitation, Telerehabilitation, Signs And Symptoms, Covid-19, Network Meta-Analysis

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