Rehabilitation of Post-COVID-19 Musculoskeletal Sequelae in Geriatric Patients: A Case Series Study

Mariana Cevei, Roxana Ramona Onofrei (), Anamaria Gherle, Cristina Gug and Dorina Stoicanescu
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Mariana Cevei: Psychoneuro Sciences and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Roxana Ramona Onofrei: Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Research Center for Assessment of Human Motion, Functionality and Disability, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Anamaria Gherle: Psychoneuro Sciences and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
Cristina Gug: Microscopic Morphology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Dorina Stoicanescu: Microscopic Morphology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: The musculoskeletal system is affected in over 40% of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is an increased need for post-acute rehabilitation after COVID-19, especially in elderly people with underlying health problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of an early and goal-orientated rehabilitation program using combined approaches, robotic medical devices together with other rehabilitation techniques and therapies, in elderly people after acute COVID-19. Ninety-one patients (62.64 ± 14.21 years) previously diagnosed with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to the Medical Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital Baile Felix, Romania, for medical rehabilitation, but only six patients (85.33 ± 3.07 years) met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. The rehabilitation treatment was complex, performed over 4 weeks, and included combined approaches: exercise therapy, robotic gait training, occupational therapy, and massages. Activity and participation evaluation were performed using the Barthel Index and Functional Independence Measure for activities of daily living (ADLs). Assessments were performed at admission and discharge from the rehabilitation clinic. Lokomat patients’ reports revealed that the patients had improved motor control (with one exception). The measurement of functional ability revealed an improvement in most cases. This study presents some of the first data on outcomes of COVID-19 patients’ musculoskeletal rehabilitation in our country. Early complex medical rehabilitation improved functional independence and autonomy in ADLs in very old patients, post-COVID-19.

Keywords: medical rehabilitation; musculoskeletal sequelae; post-COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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