# POSTURAL BALANCE AND FUNCTIONAL MUSCLE STRENGTH IN THE HANDS AND LEGS ONE YEAR AFTER HOSPITALISATION DUE TO COVID-19

## TL;DR

This study found that most patients hospitalized with COVID-19 improved in balance and muscle strength over one year, but nearly half still had impairments, with ICU patients showing more hand weakness.

## Contribution

The study provides longitudinal data on postural balance and muscle strength recovery in hospitalized COVID-19 patients over one year.

## Key findings

- Postural balance and muscle strength in hands and legs improved significantly over one year after hospital discharge due to COVID-19.
- ICU-treated patients had impaired hand strength but not leg strength one year post-discharge.
- Older age and lower physical activity levels were linked to poorer recovery of hand strength.

## Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate postural balance and functional muscle strength over 1 year following hospital discharge due to COVID-19 and identify possible differences depending on age, sex, and level of hospital care.

A prospective longitudinal study.

A total of 164 participants were included.

Postural balance, functional leg strength, and functional hand strength were evaluated. Change over time and differences between groups were investigated.

At the 1-year follow-up postural balance was improved (p = 0.001), as well as strength in the hands (p = 0.001), and legs (p = 0.001). Participants treated at an intensive care unit (ICU) had impaired functional muscle strength in the hands but not in the legs 1 year after discharge. Functional muscle strength in dominant hand on discharge, age, and previous level of physical activity were associated with having more impaired functional muscle strength in the dominant hand 1 year after discharge.

Functional muscle strength and postural balance after COVID-19 improved significantly from discharge to the 1-year follow-up although nearly half of the patients still had impaired functional muscle strength 1 year after COVID-19 hospitalization.

Trial registration: FoU i Sverige (Research & Development in Sweden, Registration number: 274476, registered 2020-05-28).

This study investigate the presence of sequelae after COVID-19 infection. Studies have reported that at least 70% of patients in the post-acute stage have persisting symptoms 1 year after COVID-19. Persistence of symptoms can be anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, impaired postural balance, and impaired muscle strength. To help people that suffer from those symptoms we aimed to investigate postural balance and functional muscle strength over 1 year following hospital discharge due to COVID-19 infection to identify possible rehabilitation needs. In all, 164 participants concluded the 1-year follow up. On discharge, just over half of the participants had impaired postural balance compared with about 13% at the 1-year follow-up. On discharge, 65% had impaired functional muscle strength in the hands compared with 41% at the 1-year follow-up. On discharge, 94.5% had impaired functional muscle strength in the legs compared with 53% 1 year after hospital discharge. We concluded that although functional muscle strength and postural balance improved significantly from hospital discharge to 1-year follow-up, nearly half of the patients still had impaired functional muscle strength after 1 year. Older age meant poorer recovery of functional muscle strength and postural balance after COVID-19.