Telehealth program: Effect of Physiotherapy Intervention on Dyspnea, Fatigue and Functional Status of Post COVID-19 Syndrome patients

Abstract

Post COVID-19 syndrome, that is marked by dyspnea, fatigue, and functional impairment, is best treated with a nonpharmacologic aproach entitled a physiotherapy intervention program. Aim: To evaluate the effect of physiotherapy intervention program through telehealth on dyspnea, fatigue and functional status of post COVID-19 syndrome patients. Design: The study utilized a one-group pre and posttest Quasi experimental design with a purposive sample of 60 post Covid-19 syndrome patients. Setting: Isolation Medical Unit and Post Covid-19 follow up clinic in main Assiut University Hospital. Tools: Data were collected using a structured interview Patient's assessment questionnaire, Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale, Chalder fatigue scale, and Post COVID-19 Functional Status Scale. Results: statistically extremely significant differences regarding degrees of dyspnea , extent of fatigue, and functional status of post Covid-19 syndrome patients in pre, post (8th wks.), and follow up (12th wk.) of program application with (p=0.001). Conclusion: Physiotherapy intervention program applied through telehealth had significant improvement clinically and statistically on dyspnea, fatigue, and functional status. Recommendations: Telehealth is especially important currently, as social distancing measures thus using this intervention program by nurses can be effective in improving post Covid-19 syndrome symptoms.