The impact of post-COVID multicomponent rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by chronic fatigue and myalgia, among other symptoms, which can limit activities of daily living. Physical therapy protocols with multicomponent exercises combine strength, resistance, balance and gait, producing significant improvements in functional mobility. Objective: Evaluate whether multicomponent rehabilitation is effective in improving functional mobility and quality of life in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: Randomized controlled trial with 59 volunteers, divided into an intervention (IG) and control group (CG), all of whom underwent initial assessment (T0). The IG performed 24 sessions over 12 weeks and the CG did not undergo training. Functional mobility was analyzed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Berg balance scale, while the SF-36 questionnaire assessed quality of life. Results: In the 6MWT, the IG covered 464.40 + 81.26 meters (T0) and 518.60 + 82.68 meters (T4). The IG Berg scale scores were 48.00 + 4.00 (T0) and 51.90 + 4.26 (T4). In terms of quality of life, the IG obtained mean scores of 96.26 + 10.14 (T0) and 102.60 + 5.53 (T4). None of these measures was statistically significant. Conclusion: Individuals who underwent the multicomponent physiotherapy protocol showed statistically nonsignificant increases in the variables studied.