Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-DIAZ, Julio César et al. Rehabilitation and physiotherapy protocols in patients affected by COVID-19. Rev Podium [online]. 2023, vol.18, n.3  Epub Sep 13, 2023. ISSN 1996-2452.

The COVID-19 represents an international emergency due to the increasing numbers of infected and deceased people worldwide. Recovered patients may suffer respiratory, cardiac and neurological effects and sequelae, which affects their quality of life. The objective of this article was to reconstruct the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and neuromuscular rehabilitation and physiotherapy protocols for patients affected by COVID-19, based on reported scientific evidence. For it, a bibliographic review was carried out in the main international databases (PubMed, sciELO, Google Scholar, among others). The key words were used for the search: COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome, physiotherapy, respiratory rehabilitation, cardiovascular rehabilitation, neuromuscular and neurological rehabilitation, in English and Spanish. These protocols attribute significant improvements in sequelae and in the quality of life of patients. Respiratory physiotherapy exercises in the prone position, inspiratory muscle training, aerobic exercises and moderate muscle strength training are recommended. The results of the application of these protocols are satisfactory in the recovery of patients.

Keywords : COVID-19; physiotherapy; respiratory rehabilitation; cardiovascular rehabilitation; neurological rehabilitation; neuromuscular rehabilitation..

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