Effects of Short-Term Physiotherapy in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Infected with Mutant and Non-Mutant Virus: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of study, to assess the short term effects of physiotherapy on patients infected with mutant and non-mutant SARS-CoV-2 virus. Material and Methods: The patients included in the study were analyzed in two different groups. Patients infected with non-mutant SARS-CoV-2 were in Group 1 (n=16; age=53.81±9.48). Patients infected with mutant SARS-CoV-2 were included in Group 2 (n=16; age=55.25±10.12). Physiotherapy which included mobilization, normal range of motion, and a breathing exercise program, was performed on both groups (Group 1: Median=7.00; Min-Max=5-20 days; Group 2: Median: 7.00; Min-Max=4-15 days). All patients underwent a once-daily physiotherapy program. The patients' muscle strength, mobility, activities of daily living, exercise capacity, and perception of fatigue were evaluated. The mixed repeated measures ANOVA model was used to compare groups. Results: It was found that physiotherapy improved muscle strength, mobility, ability to perform activities of daily living, exercise capacity, and perception of fatigue in both groups (p0.05). Conclusion: The current study showed that a short term physiotherapy program was as successful in patients infected with mutant SARS-CoV-2 as it was in patients infected with non-mutant SARS-CoV-2. Physiotherapy is beneficial for COVID-19 disease, as it decreases functional limitation and symptoms of COVID-19 disease by contributing positively to muscle strength, mobility, activities of daily living, exercise capacity, and the perception of fatigue.