covid 19

by Allison Perry, SPT

Long COVID is defined by the CDC as a chronic condition that occurs following a SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months. This condition can include a wide range of symptoms that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. The cause for this persistence of symptoms is not fully known but may be due to one or more factors, such as remaining active virus in the body, reactivation of latent virus, an autoimmune response triggered by infection, or organ damage suffered during initial illness.

Between 5 and 20% of all adults in the United States report experiencing symptoms of long COVID. Adults over 65, women, unvaccinated individuals, those who had more severe infections, and hispanic and latino populations are at higher risk.

There are more than 200 identified symptoms of long COVID-19. The wide variety of symptoms make this condition difficult to recognize and diagnose. Some of the more common symptoms reported include:

  • Post exertional malaise (worsening fatigue, cognitive changes, pain, dizziness, etc. following activity)
  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle weakness

Management of long COVID-19 often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists in internal medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, neurology, psychiatry, pulmonology, cardiology, etc.

Physical therapy has been proven to be an effective intervention in treating the symptoms of long COVID-19. Physical therapy interventions will be individualized to each person but may include techniques or exercises which aim to accomplish any of the following:

  • Address deconditioning
  • Improve respiratory function
  • Improve endurance
  • Increase fitness and muscle strength
  • Normalize mobility
  • Reduce fatigue

References

  1. Long Covid Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/index.html#:~:text=Long%20COVID%20is%20defined%20as,%2C%20worsen%2C%20or%20be%20ongoing.
  2. Interdisciplinary Management and screening of the long-covid patient (recorded webinar). MedBridge. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.medbridge.com/courses/details/interdisciplinary-management-and-screening-of-the-long-covid-patient-recorded-webinar-rebecca-boersma-becca-krysiak-corey-malone.
  3. Colas C, Le Berre Y, Fanget M, et al. Physical Activity in Long COVID: A Comparative Study of Exercise Rehabilitation Benefits in Patients with Long COVID, Coronary Artery Disease and Fibromyalgia. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2023;20(15):6513-. doi:10.3390/ijerph20156513
  4.  Sánchez-García JC, Reinoso-Cobo A, Piqueras-Sola B, Cortés-Martín J, Menor-Rodríguez MJ, Alabau-Dasi R, Rodríguez-Blanque R. Long COVID and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review. Diseases. 2023; 11(4):163. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases11040163
  5. Kabir MF, Nyein Yin K, Jeffree MS et al. A comprehensive systematic scoping review for physiotherapy interventions for people living with long COVID [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved]. F1000Research 2023, 12:368. (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.132098.2)
  6. Espinoza-Bravo C, Arnal-Gómez A, Martínez-Arnau FM, et al. Effectiveness of Functional or Aerobic Exercise Combined With Breathing Techniques in Telerehabilitation for Patients With Long COVID: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2023;103(11):pzad118. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzad118
  7.  Zheng C, Chen XK, Sit CH, et al. Effect of Physical Exercise-Based Rehabilitation on Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024;56(1):143-154. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003280
  8. Sanders ME, Bryant CX, Vanichkachorn G. Understanding the vital role of Health/fitness… : ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. LWW. 2024. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/abstract/2024/03000/understanding_the_vital_role_of_health_fitness.6.aspx.