Comparing Functional Response in Patients With and Without COVID-19 Admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation: A...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Gerontology

Background:

• COVID-19 can lead to functional deficits requiring inpatient rehabilitation.
• Understanding the rehabilitation outcomes for COVID-19 patients is crucial for optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare self-care and mobility functional responses in patients with and without COVID-19 undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, retrospective, multi-site study.
• Data from 11,734 patients (868 with COVID-19) admitted to 12 US inpatient rehabilitation facilities between March and December 2020.
• Routine care data from the Rehabilitation Registry of COVID-19 patients.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 patients were younger (mean age 65.74), predominantly male and White, with significant representation from the African American population.
• Fewer COVID-19 patients returned home.
• Both groups had neurological diagnoses, longer stays, less therapy, and lower self-care functional response.

Conclusions:

• Patients with active or recovered COVID-19 achieved significant functional gains in self-care and mobility through inpatient rehabilitation.
• Structured inpatient rehabilitation programs appear beneficial for COVID-19 patients.