Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Evaluation of pulmonary function and exercise capacity after COVID-19 pneumonia
S Okan1, F Okan2, F Duran Yücesoy3
1Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Tokat, Tokat State Hospital, Yeni mah, Merkez, Tokat 60100, Turkey.
Background:
Individuals who suffer from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia may experience pulmonary dysfunction during the chronic period due to pulmonary parenchymal damage after acute disease.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pulmonary function and exercise capacity of patients treated for COVID 19 pneumonia after discharge.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, 79 people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 between March and October 2020 were evaluated at least two months after discharge. A pulmonary function test and a six-minute walk test were administered to the individuals included in the study.
Results:
Restrictive-type disorder was detected in 21.5% of the individuals who were evaluated at least two months after discharge. The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) values of the pulmonary function tests were significantly lower in the individuals with severe/critical clinical disease compared to those with moderate disease (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively). Although the six-minute walk test (6MWT) distances were lower in the severe/critical group than in the moderate group, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Individuals who are discharged after hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia may develop a restrictive type of pulmonary dysfunction. Therefore, survivors of COVID-19 pneumonia should be evaluated for pulmonary function and rehabilitation needs and should be provided with treatment as required.
More Related Videos
08:44Author Spotlight: Integrating Alveolar-Capillary Reserve Measurements in Exercise Adaptation and Therapeutic Strategies
Published on: February 2, 2024
08:05Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Lung Capacity
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...