Abstract
Since late 2019, the number of COVID-19 patients has gradually increased in certain regions as consecutive waves of infections hit countries. Whenever this wave hits the corresponding areas, the entire healthcare system must respond quickly to curb the diseases, morbidities, and mortalities in intensive care settings. The healthcare team involved in COVID-19 patients’ care must work tirelessly without having breaks. Our understanding of COVID-19 is limited as new challenges emerge with new COVID-19 variants appearing in different world regions. Though medical therapies are finding solutions to deal with the disease, there are few recommendations for respiratory rehabilitation therapies. A group of respiratory rehabilitation care professionals in Saudi Arabia and international experts have agreed with the World Health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. Professionals participating in COVID-19 patient treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery formulated respiratory rehabilitation guidelines based on the DELPHI Method, combining scientific research and personal practical experience. As a result, it is envisaged that the number of individuals in the region suffering from respiratory ailments due to post-COVID-19 will decrease. This narrative review and clinical expertise guidelines may give physiotherapists acceptable and standard clinical guideline protocols for treating COVID-19 patients.
Highlights
The COVID-19 disease appeared in China as acute pneumonia in December 2019 [1]
COVID-19-affected patients presented with fever, breathing difficulty, cough, and a few patients presented with severe pneumonia symptoms [2]
Based on our clinical experience after dealing with several COVID-19 patients and through a literature search on respiratory rehabilitation, we propose these guidelines for physiotherapists involved in treating and managing COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia
Summary
The COVID-19 disease appeared in China as acute pneumonia in December 2019 [1]. COVID-19-affected patients presented with fever, breathing difficulty, cough, and a few patients presented with severe pneumonia symptoms [2]. Respiratory rehabilitation is a comprehensive therapy approach focused on individualized assessment and treatment to improve or maintain people with pulmonary diseases’ physical, social, and mental health [8,9]. It includes fitness training, education, and lifestyle modification, and aims to improve pulmonary disease patients’ overall health [8,10]. Based on our clinical experience after dealing with several COVID-19 patients and through a literature search on respiratory rehabilitation, we propose these guidelines for physiotherapists involved in treating and managing COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. These are the opinions of respiratory rehabilitation experts and experts from other disciplines summoned to deal with the crisis
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