Four weeks of telerehabilitation did not provide additional benefits over control for cardiorespiratory recovery (respiratory rate change -6 vs -5 bpm) after COVID-19 hospitalization.
RCT (n=56)
randomized
Does a four-week thrice-weekly telerehabilitation program improve cardiorespiratory and functional recovery in individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19?
A four-week telerehabilitation program did not provide additional benefits over spontaneous recovery for cardiorespiratory and functional capacity in patients recently discharged after COVID-19 hospitalization.
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for effective post-hospitalized rehabilitation. This study investigated the effects of a four-week telerehabilitation program on cardiorespiratory and functional recovery in individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19. Methods Fifty-six individuals (52 ± 13y) hospitalized due to COVID-19 in 2020, before vaccination were randomized to thrice-weekly telerehabilitation (n = 25) or control follow-up (n = 31) for four weeks. Blood pressure, heart rate, endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and handgrip strength were measured before and after follow-up. Arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability), pulmonary function (spirometry), respiratory muscle strength (manovacuometry), and five-time sit-to-stand, timed up-and-go, and 6-minute walk test were measured post-follow-up. Results Telerehabilitation and control improved (p < 0.002), respectively, respiratory rate (-6 ± 1 bpm; -5± 1 bpm), SpO 2 (+2.8 ± 0.4%; +3.5 ± 1.6%); and relative and absolute FMD (+0.92 ± 0.36%, +0.05 ± 0.01 mm; +1.38 ± 0.39%, +0.04 ± 0.01 mm). Significant improvements were observed only in the control group for handgrip/body weight (+0.05 kgf/kg) and handgrip/BMI (+0.13 kgf/kg/m 2 ). There were no differences in any other variables. Conclusions Four weeks of telerehabilitation did not provide additional benefits for cardiorespiratory and functional recovery after COVID-19 hospitalization. In the post-discharge phase, spontaneous recovery may outweigh short-term telerehabilitation, indicating that longer or more intensive programs may be required for benefit. Study limitations, including the short intervention, small sample, and attrition, should be considered. Clinical trial registration RBR-9y32yy
Amaral et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in COVID-19 (n=56). Telerehabilitation vs. Control follow-up was evaluated on Cardiorespiratory and functional recovery. Four weeks of telerehabilitation did not provide additional benefits over control for cardiorespiratory recovery (respiratory rate change -6 vs -5 bpm) after COVID-19 hospitalization.