Impact of early pulmonary rehabilitation in postacute COVID Disease: A single-center experience from India – A quasi-experimental study

It was observed that post-COVID patients reported persistent exertional dyspnea, cough, fatigue, or chest pain. About 10%-20% of patients may progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been proven to be useful in improving effort tolerance and quality of life in chronic respiratory diseases.The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in improving 6-min walk distance (6 MWD), peak flow, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in early postacute COVID disease.This quasi-experimental study was conducted during January 2021 to March 2021. The patients who recovered from COVID-19 and having persistent exertional dyspnea and fatigue after 3 weeks of recovery were included in the study. Baseline and postintervention assessment of 6 MWD, Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), peak flow, and Hamilton rating scales (HAM) scales after 4 weeks were done. Compliance was ensured with weakly telemonitoring.Significant improvement in peak flow, 6 MWD, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and VAS-F (P < 0.01) after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation.Early pulmonary rehabilitation in post-COVID syndrome can contribute to statistically significant improvement in functional and psychological parameters as well as post-COVID fatigue.