The influence of a physiotherapeutic intervention program for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Post-COVID-19 syndrome affects patients regardless of the severity of the disease. The most common symptoms are fatigue, migraine, attention deficit, dyspnea, and depression. Physiotherapeutic intervention has been used as a strategy to aid the rehabilitation of patients. Objective: To analyze the effects of a physiotherapeutic rehabilitation program on quality of life, functional capacity, perceived exertion, perception of pain, and muscle strength in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with 33 participants, divided into two groups: an intervention group (IG) who received the physiotherapeutic rehabilitation program and a control group (CG) who did not. Participants were assessed for strength before and after the intervention period, using handgrip dynamometry and being assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) for functional capacity, the BORG scale for exertion perception, and the SF-36 scale for quality of life. Results: A significant increase (p<0.05) in quality of life was observed in the IG in the SF-36 domains of physical functioning, physical role limitations, bodily pain, and increased handgrip strength. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups for perceived exertion before and after the intervention. No significant differences were found among the other variables. Conclusion: The physiotherapeutic intervention program improved the quality of life assessed with the SF-36 domains of physical functioning, physical role limitations, and bodily pain, and increased handgrip strength of patients with symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.