Experience of Outpatient Rehabilitation of Patients after Pneumonia Associated with the New Coronavirus Infection COVID-19

Abstract

The revealed functional disorders in patients who have suffered pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 require long-term rehabilitation, in particular in outpatient environment. Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of outpatient rehabilitation of patients who have suffered pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Material and methods. The study included 72 patients after mild to moderate pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The main group included 37 patients who underwent comprehensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy, massage, magnetic therapy, speleotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and drug therapy. The comparison group (35 patients) received physical therapy, magnetic therapy and drug therapy. The effectiveness of therapy was assessed on the basis of standardized questionnaires and scales: Asthenia scale (MFI-20), Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), mMRC and Borg dyspnea scales, clinical and laboratory examination data. The quality of life of patients in the dynamics of rehabilitation was assessed by the quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D). Results and discussion. In the main group of patients, the effectiveness of rehabilitation was higher relative to the decrease in the severity of dyspnea, asthenia, normalization of lymphocyte levels. In this group, the quality of life improved more significantly on the scales of anxiety/depression and psychoemotional status. Conclusion. The rehabilitation program, which additionally included chest massage, speleotherapy, transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), showed an advantage in improving clinical and laboratory parameters and quality of life in patients who have suffered pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19.