Telerehabilitation is effective to recover functionality and increase skeletal muscle mass index in COVID-19 survivors

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors on their functionality, aerobic capacity, upper-lower body strength and skeletal muscle mass index. Methods: Fifty patients (22 M); age 54.1±15.4 who became ill with COVID-19 during 2020 completed a 24-session telerehabilitation program. The following measures were taken: Barthel’s index, two minutes step test (2MST), elbow flexion one-repetition maximal (1RM), short physical performance battery (SPPB), hand grip strength, 30-second chair stand, skeletal muscle index (SMI), body fat percentage, resting pulse, arterial blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Results: There was a significant increase in the Barthel index (p≤0.0001), 2MST (p≤0.0001), 1RM elbow flexion (p≤0.0001), SPPB (p≤0.0001), hand grip strength (p≤0.0001), 30-second chair stand (p≤0.0001), and SMI (p≤0.0001). Conclusion: A 24 session in-home telerehabilitation program promoted the recovery of physical independence and increases in skeletal muscle mass index and physical fitness.