The effect of physiotherapy intervention on functional outcomes among COVID-19 patients: Clinical experimental study

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that causes pneumonia, which quickly progresses to acute respiratory distress. In the case of COVID-19, physiotherapy is critical in non-invasive support management, postural changes, chest physiotherapy (CPT), and bed mobility. This study aims to look into the effects of physiotherapy intervention on functional outcome levels in COVID-19 patients in the acute stage.

A total of 60 severe COVID-19 patients (54 males and 6 females) with a mean age of 50 years were studied. The intervention group (n = 30) had two daily physiotherapy sessions that included positioning, CPT, cardio exercises, breathing exercises, and early mobility, whereas the control group (n = 30) received only standard medical care. Patients were tested twice at the baseline and discharge using peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR) test, dyspnea rate, two-min walk test, and spirometer scores, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).

The two groups improved significantly between the baseline and discharge ratings. The intervention group, on the other hand, significantly improved all outcome indicators at discharge (p-value = 0.00). This study found that physiotherapy management improved oxygen saturation, RR, dyspnea, and lung function tests in COVID-19 patients except in FVC (p-value = 0.402) and FEV1(p-value = 0.114).

Physiotherapist interventions with COVID-19 patients increase respiratory function and treatment time.