Post Intensive Care Tele Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Post-COVID-19: A Case Series

Abstract

Muscle weakness acquired in intensive care, post-intensive care syndrome, psychological dysfunction and changes in body composition are the main reasons cited in Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) applications after discharge in cases followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Although the limitations of face-to-face PR applications during the pandemic have made tele-PR more common, the appropriate patient profile for PR is still unknown. In this case series, video conferencing-mediated tele-PR was applied as a hybrid approach and compared with PR in a face-to-face format in five cases referred after ICU. After the initial and final evaluations and the first two exercise sessions were performed in the outpatient PR unit, the program was continued via a video-conferencing method. At the end of the total 18 sessions, a decrease was noted in the perception of dyspnea, and an increase in exercise capacity and muscle strength. A decrease in the severity of COVID-19-related fatigue was also noted.