Effects of an inpatient rehabilitation programme on functional capacity, quality of life and psychological distress in patients with post covid-19 condition: an observational study

Abstract

<div><p><strong>Objectives: </strong> To examine changes in functional capacity, health-related quality of life and psychological distress in patients with post-COVID-19 condition following a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. In addition, to explore whether additional respiratory muscle training for more impaired patients might support their recovery process.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong> Retrospective observational cohort study.</p><p><strong>Patients: </strong> A total of 779 patients with post-COVID-19 condition (47.9% female, mean age 56.6 years).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> Measures assessed were: 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 5-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) including EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Data were provided pre- and post-rehabilitation from 2 cohorts: (i) patients participating in a regular multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme; and (ii) patients receiving additional respiratory muscle training due to an initially greater level of impairment. Dependent t-tests and general linear mixed models were used for data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> A series of dependent t-tests revealed mean overall improvement for both groups in 6-minute walk test distance (6MWD), EQ-5D-5L index, EQ-VAS and PHQ-4 following the rehabilitation programme. General linear mixed models showed significant interaction effects between groups and time for the EQ-5D-5L index and 6MWD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> A multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme appears to have a beneficial impact on the recovery process of patients with post-COVID-19 condition.<br></p></div>