Long-term effect of non-severe COVID-19 on pulmonary function, functional capacities and physical activities: a cross-section study in Sakaka Aljouf

TL;DR

This study shows that even non-severe COVID-19 can have long-term negative effects on lung function, physical abilities, and activity levels.

Contribution

The study provides evidence of long-term impacts of non-severe COVID-19 on pulmonary and physical health.

Findings

Significant differences in pulmonary function were found between recovered COVID-19 patients and healthy controls.

Functional capacities and physical activity levels were lower in the non-severe COVID-19 group.

The results highlight the need for rehabilitation programs for all COVID-19 patients, regardless of severity.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has serious consequences on different body systems particularly the respiratory system with its impact on pulmonary function, functional capacities, physical activities, and personal performance. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of COVID-19 on pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities in patients with non-severe COVID-19.

Methods: 160 individuals were selected to participate in a cross-section study.
Group-I: 80 male and female patients with non-severe COVID-19 at least 3 months after the recovery time.
Group-II:80 male and female matched participants. The spirometer, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to assess pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities respectively. Shapiro–Wilk’s test was used to test normality of data. The Mann–Whitney and independent t-tests were used to compare the significant differences between both groups.

Results: The results show significant differences in pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities, between both COVID-19 and matched groups.

Conclusion: Pulmonary function, functional capacities, and physical activities are negatively influenced by COVID-19 as long-term consequences indicating the need for extended health care, and prescription of proper rehabilitative training programs for such patients whatever their severity degree of infection or history of hospitalization. Outcome reflections of the current results raise awareness for physical therapists to tailor the proper rehabilitative training programs for such patients.

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