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Telerehabilitation is Effective to Recover Functionality and Increase Skeletal Muscle Mass Index in COVID-19
Jorge Cancino-López1, Patricio Zarricueta Vergara2, Bárbara Leyton Dinamarca3
1Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Medicine Faculty, Finis Terrae University, Santiago, Chile.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors on their functionality, aerobic capacity, upper-lower body strength and skeletal muscle mass index.
Methods:
Fifty patients (22 M); age 54.1±15.4 who became ill with COVID-19 during 2020 completed a 24-session telerehabilitation program. The following measures were taken: Barthel's index, two minutes step test (2MST), elbow flexion one-repetition maximal (1RM), short physical performance battery (SPPB), hand grip strength, 30-second chair stand, skeletal muscle index (SMI), body fat percentage, resting pulse, arterial blood pressure, and pulse oximetry.
Results:
There was a significant increase in the Barthel index (p≤0.0001), 2MST (p≤0.0001), 1RM elbow flexion (p≤0.0001), SPPB (p≤0.0001), hand grip strength (p≤0.0001), 30-second chair stand (p≤0.000l), and SMI (p≤0.0001).
Conclusion:
A 24 session in-home telerehabilitation program promoted the recovery of physical independence and increases in skeletal muscle mass index and physical fitness.
