COVID-19: Short and Long-Term Effects of Hospitalization on Muscular Weakness in the Elderly

Lucía Sagarra-Romero and Andrea Viñas-Barros
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Lucía Sagarra-Romero: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, 50830 Zaragoza, Spain
Andrea Viñas-Barros: Hospital General San Jorge, 22004 Huesca, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has recently been the cause of a global public health emergency. Frequently, elderly patients experience a marked loss of muscle mass and strength during hospitalization, resulting in a significant functional decline. This paper describes the impact of prolonged immobilization and current pharmacological treatments on muscular metabolism. In addition, the scientific evidence for an early strength intervention, neuromuscular electrical stimulation or the application of heat therapy during hospitalization to help prevent COVID-19 functional sequels is analyzed. This review remarks the need to: (1) determine which potential pharmacological interventions have a negative impact on muscle quality and quantity; (2) define a feasible and reliable pharmacological protocol to achieve a balance between desired and undesired medication effects in the treatment of this novel disease; (3) implement practical strategies to reduce muscle weakness during bed rest hospitalization and (4) develop a specific, early and safe protocol-based care of functional interventions for older adults affected by COVID-19 during and after hospitalization.

Keywords: COVID-19; older adult; bed rest; muscle weakness; functional decline (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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