Rehabilitation recommendations for adult patients with COVID-19

de la Cerna Luna, R.; de Villa Velarde, A. V.; Castillo, D. L.; Daza, M. M.; Estrada, L. V.; Candiotti, R. T.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is a new pathogen causing COVID-19 disease, ranging from an asymptomatic infection to a critical condition dependent on mechanical ventilation. Rehabilitation interventions contribute for the prevention and treatment of related complications and associated disability. Objectives: Describe rehabilitation recommendations for adult patients with COVID-19. Methods: A literature search was carried out. Databases and portals were consulted using the following terms and their equivalents: SARS-CoV2, COVID-19, rehabilitation, physiotherapy. The search was carried out in Spanish, English, Chinese and Italian languages, with a time window between January 2010 and April 2020. Results: 23 publications met the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Based on the information obtained, recommendations and tables were prepared about the clinical classification of COVID-19, medical behavior to be followed according to severity, general care and rehabilitation interventions in adult patients with COVID-19. Conclusions: Rehabilitation interventions are essential and indispensable resources for the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with COVID-19, despite of the low quality of the available evidence.