MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH POST COVID-19 SYNDROME AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

There is an increasing number of patients surviving SARS-CoV-2 infection who have no evidence of acute infection but who continue to have symptoms that persist and shape the post COVID-19 symptoms (PCS). Musculoskeletal symptoms (MSK), as part of the PCS, lead to reduced functional activity and cause prolonged suffering. The purpose of this review is to identify the main MSK symptoms in PCS and to review physical interventions that may have a beneficial effect in reducing MSK complaints and increasing functional activity in PCS. Materials and methods: A review of the literature was performed, including articles about MSK symptoms in patients with PCS and the possible physical interventions used in rehabilitation of these patients, with impact on symptoms, functional capacity, and functional activity. The scientific articles research took place in the bibliographic database of PubMed. The search results were found for: post-COVID-19 (PCS) syndrome, long COVID, post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), chronic COVID syndrome (CCS), Musculoskeletal symptom, Pain post-COVID, physical function, Rehabilitation post-COVID, exercise, physical activity, functional capacity, traditional Chinese medicine. Results: The review found evidence of prolonged persistence of MSK symptoms as part of PCS syndrome. Fatigue, myalgia, back, waist and neck pain and arthralgia (pain in the peripheral joints) are the most reported symptoms. Data showing the need for rehabilitation and the positive effect of physical therapy and therapeutic exercises in patients with PCS to reduce pain and increase functional activity was found. Conclusion: Increasing physical activity in patients with PCS is likely to have a beneficial effect on general conditioning, physical function, and functional recovery, helping to overcome the effects of infection, reducing pain, and reducing emotional stress. Individually targeted physical interventions are recommended, including multimodal programs, exercises for overall muscle strengthening, increasing joint stability, cycling training, Individually targeted physical interventions are recommended, including multimodal programs, exercises for overall muscle strengthening, increasing joint stability, cycling training, electrical modalities -Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain symptoms. Rehabilitation should be applied after detailed functional assessment and shaped be carried out with the participation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. The development of appropriate rehabilitation strategies will allow the achievement of optimal functional recovery and increased functional activity, satisfactory to the patient and will reduce the economic burden of prolonged reduced work capacity.