Phase-adapted Rehabilitation for acute corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients and patient with long-term sequelae of COVID-19.

Gutenbrunner, Christoph; Nugraha, Boya; Martin, Lidia Teixido

ABSTRACT Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, many papers have highlighted the need for the rehabilitation of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most papers refer to the need for respiratory rehabilitation in the acute phase; however, that fact that the infection also affects other organ systems has to be considered in rehabilitation interventions. Long-term symptoms in many cases severely limit activity and participation and alter quality of life, leading to rehabilitation needs. This paper proposes a phase-adapted model of linking the acute, post-acute, and long-term symptoms of COVID-19 with the well-established matrix of acute, post-acute, and long-term rehabilitation services. A review of currently available recommendations for phase-adapted rehabilitation strategies, including the relevance of prehabilitation within this context, is provided.