EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine what effects the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has on the cardiopulmonary endurance, heart rate and oxygen saturation in children with cerebral palsy (CP) during a 6-min walk test (6MWT). This study had a laboratory design and tested a single group pre- and post-COVID-19. A convenience sample of 8 participants with CP (three females; mean age±SD=13±6.4 years) that was recruited from a community-based rehabilitation center was enrolled in the current study. Due to COVID-19, no rehabilitation was provided by a physical therapist for two months as the participants stayed at home. The descriptive statistics and paired t-test were derived by examining the participants' cardiopulmonary function via the Borg scale, 6MWT, heart rate and oxygen saturation, while they underwent rehabilitation versus the two months without rehabilitation due to COVID-19. The participants' walking distances, oxygen saturation and heart rates were measured, and the Borg scale was used to assess the participants' perceptions of their fatigue, breathlessness, and effort and exertion during the 6MWT. The descriptive statistical analysis demonstrated the following effects when comparing the post-COVID-19 results to those before the pandemic: greater distance on the 6 MWT test (0.69%), minimal changes in oxygen saturation (-0.3%) and increased heart rate (8.4%) and Borg scale values (19.4%). Paired t-test suggested that a significant difference was shown on the Borg scale (P=0.04) and heart rate (P=0.01). The results of this study provide clinical, evidence-based insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiopulmonary function in children with CP. The clinical case series study demonstrated that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants with CP experienced increased heart rates and decreased minimal oxygen saturation, cardiopulmonary endurance. Recent advances in communication and information technology allow physical therapists to train and refine individually through remote rehabilitation. Exercise and combining VR remote education can be a way to maintain cardiopulmonary functions that have fallen due to the pandemic.