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Post-Covid-19 Physical Rehabilitation Publisher



Diaz JM1 ; Poncecampos SD2 ; Rodriguezplascencia N3 ; Memari A4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Medical Didactic Unit, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
  2. 2. Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers, Pneumology Service, Aguascalientes, Mexico
  3. 3. Mexican Social Security Institute HGR 46, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  4. 4. Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Physical Activity and Pandemics: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Published:2023


Abstract

Post-COVID syndrome is defined as a wide range of physical and psycho-emotional symptoms that people experience after first being infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and beyond for at least 4 weeks from the onset of acute symptoms. Based on the multisystemic involvement in the pathophysiology of the COVID-19 syndrome, it is mandatory to have an intensive treatment managed by a multidisciplinary medical team. Physical therapy as a medical specialty focused on developing, maintaining, and restoring maximum functional ability of the patients can be a crucial part of this team. In post-COVID-19 syndrome, the objectives of physical therapy are retraining the respiratory function, improving cardiovascular capacity, reducing fatigue and dyspnea, increasing muscle strength, and finally reintegrating the patient into daily activities. In this chapter, we described how the physical therapy can help post-COVID-19 patients, by explaining the evaluation tests, defining the inclusion, and exclusion criteria for ambulatory patients, hospitalized patients with non-mechanical ventilation, and hospitalized patients with mechanical ventilation. We further recommended a few exercises and techniques to implement in physical therapy plans for post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. Finally, the contraindications and stopping criteria for physical therapy in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation have been discussed. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023. All rights reserved.