Influence of complex medical rehabilitation on pulmonary function and quality of life in patients after COVID-19

An important stage in the study of COVID-19 and its impact on quality of life is the study of lung function during the period of convalescence.
Aim. To assess the influence of complex medical rehabilitation (MR) on pulmonary function, dyspnea, muscle weakness, quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients after COVID-19.
Materials and methods. The study included 19 patients after COVID-19 (17 men and 2 woman, median age – 45 years), who were treated at the Main Military Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense named after N.N.Burdenko. The second stage of complex MR included medical and physical therapy, and physiotherapy. Before and after the MR pulmonary function tests were performed, also the scores of mMRC, MRSweakness, HADS scales, the scores of EQ-5D Questionnaire were assessed.
Results. Before the start of MR, on average, the severity of dyspnea in the group was mild, muscle strength was slightly reduced, the quality of life score was 80 points, anxiety and depression were not detected. The medians of all pulmonary function parameters were within normal values unless anomaly of the lung diffusion capacity in 14 (74%) cases. Repeated examination showed a statistically significant reduction in the degree of dyspnea, increased muscle strength, improved quality of life, increased VC, FVC, FEV₁ , DL_CO, with a median increase of 5% pred. or 230 mL, 5% pred. (260 mL), 6% pred. (210 mL) and 6% pred. (1,75 mL/min/mmHg), respectively.
Conclusion. Our study demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of complex rehabilitation after COVID-19.

pulmonary function, lung diffusion capacity, medical rehabilitation, COVID-19

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