Telerehabilitation: A Path for Long COVID Recovery

COVID-19 is caused by a virus known as SARS-CoV-2 and has led to a worldwide health emergency. Since its emergence, many people have been affected, with a reported case count of over a million in the UAE alone. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary greatly. Some people may not show any signs of illness, while others may experience severe issues like trouble breathing or organ failure.

#Phases of COVID-19

Doctors have categorized the symptoms of COVID-19 into three main phases:

1. Acute COVID-19: This phase lasts up to four weeks and includes the initial signs of infection.
2. Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: This phase occurs from four weeks to twelve weeks after infection.
3. Post-COVID-19 syndrome: This phase is when symptoms continue for more than twelve weeks.

Most people (around 80%) who show symptoms recover without needing to stay in the hospital. However, about 15% may get very sick and need help with breathing, while around 5% may become extremely ill and require intensive care. Even after recovery, many people report ongoing health issues for months.

#What is Long COVID?

People who have lingering symptoms after their initial COVID-19 infection are often referred to as "long haulers." Terms like "Long COVID," "Chronic COVID syndrome," and "post-acute COVID-19" are commonly used to describe these prolonged effects. Long COVID is typically characterized by new health issues that appear about 12 weeks after infection and cannot be explained by any other condition.

Those dealing with Long COVID often have difficulty with breathing, feel very tired after exertion, and may struggle with cognitive issues or mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Long COVID can affect anyone, regardless of how severe their initial infection was or their age. It can significantly reduce physical activity levels and affect overall quality of life.

#The Importance of Addressing Long COVID

Research has shown that taking steps to stop the spread of COVID-19 is vital. This includes prevention efforts, treatments, and vaccination. However, it is equally important to focus on Long COVID and its effects. Different professional groups stress the need for early detection and treatment for those showing Long COVID symptoms. While the causes of Long COVID are still not fully understood, exercise training has emerged as a helpful way to manage symptoms.

Exercise is known to be beneficial for people facing breathing difficulties and fatigue due to various health issues. However, traditional hospital training can be difficult for some people due to travel issues, worsening health, and disruptions to their daily lives. In response, professionals have started to recommend Telerehabilitation (TR), which allows individuals to receive therapy from home using technology.

#What is Telerehabilitation?

Telerehabilitation is a method where rehabilitation services are provided online, using communication technology. This approach allows patients to do Exercises at home, making it easier to stick with a routine and increasing participation. Benefits of telerehabilitation include the ability for individuals to engage in exercise from the comfort of their own home, reducing the need for hospital visits.

While there is plenty of evidence that exercise training via telerehabilitation helps people with chronic lung conditions like COPD, there is still limited information about its effects on Long COVID. As the pandemic continues, TR can be a useful solution for maintaining rehabilitation while minimizing the risk of spreading the virus.

#Study Overview

A recent study aimed to investigate how six weeks of telerehabilitation would affect lung health, fitness, and Breathlessness in individuals suffering from Long COVID. The study involved participants aged between 18 and 75 years who had recovered from COVID-19 but were still experiencing symptoms. Those who were too ill or had other serious health issues were not included in the study.

#Study Design and Methods

The researchers used a one-group pretest-posttest design, which means all participants were tested before and after the intervention. A total of 50 people were originally contacted, and 20 met the criteria to take part in the study. At the start, participants were assessed for their Lung Function, fitness level, and breathlessness using various tests.

Once enrolled, participants received training on how to use a video conferencing tool called Google Meet for their exercise sessions. The program consisted of a home-based aerobic training routine held three times a week for six weeks, each lasting about 40 minutes. Each session included warm-up exercises, a main workout, and a cool-down phase.

The warm-up and cool-down included breathing exercises and stretches for different muscle groups. The main part of the session focused on aerobic activities. As the weeks progressed, the intensity of the exercises was increased, and participants were encouraged to do additional physical activity on their own on non-training days.

#Results of the Study

After six weeks of telerehabilitation, participants were reassessed. Improvements were noted in several areas:

• Walking Distance: Participants could walk significantly further in a six-minute walking test.
• Lung Function: Key measurements of lung health showed improvements after the training.
• Breathlessness: Participants reported feeling less breathless at the end of the intervention compared to when they started.

The study highlights that telerehabilitation can be both effective and safe for patients with Long COVID. Participants showed high adherence to the program, suggesting they found the home-based approach manageable.

#Conclusions and Future Directions

The results of this study suggest that telerehabilitation can be an effective way to help people with Long COVID improve their health and quality of life. It allows individuals the flexibility to exercise in a way that fits their personal circumstances while ensuring they receive support and guidance.

While there were some limitations to the study, such as a small participant size and the lack of a control group, the outcomes encourage further exploration of telerehabilitation for Long COVID. Future research should focus on understanding how to best implement these programs and monitor their long-term effects on health.

Overall, engaging in regular exercise through telerehabilitation can offer a way for those suffering from Long COVID to regain their strength and improve their daily living.