Improvement in cardiorespiratory functional capacity in post-Covid-19 patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation

Raylany Negreiros de Sousa, Flávia Almeida de Morais, Rodrigo De Faveri Moreira, Rafaela de Carvalho Alves, Janne Marques Silveira, Elizângela Sofia Ribeiro Rodrigues

Abstract

Introduction: Complications from Covid-19 can lead to a decline in functional performance, in this context pulmonary rehabilitation can be beneficial. Objective: To identify the profile of affected post-Covid-19 patients and evaluate the impact of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation on improving cardiorespiratory functional performance during exercise. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out with 66 patients post-hospitalization due to Covid-19, who underwent outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, twice a week, in 50-minute sessions, for 16 weeks. Results: Comorbidities and functional losses were observed in patients evaluated in the pre-rehabilitation period. To assess cardiorespiratory functional capacity, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) was applied before (T1) and after the rehabilitation period (T2). There was a significant increase in the distance walked in T2 (595 ± 130 meters, p=0.002) with an increase of 166 meters. When comparing the subjective perception of dyspnea between T1 (3 ± 3) and T2 (1 ± 1) there was a significant reduction (p=0.009), as well as the perception of lower limb fatigue, (1 ± 2) and (0 ± 1), (p=0.02). Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in promoting improvement in functional exercise performance. There was an improvement in the distance covered and a reduction in the subjective sensation of dyspnea and tiredness of the lower limbs post-rehabilitation.