Pulmonary rehabilitation enhances lung health in long COVID

A recent study shows that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can help patients suffering from long COVID. This program improves lung function, reduces fatigue, and enhances overall quality of life, especially when it lasts 4 to 8 weeks and includes specific breathing exercises. Long COVID involves lasting symptoms after a COVID-19 infection. Patients often experience fatigue, breathing difficulties, and cognitive issues. The study, published in a respiratory disease journal, focused on how PR affects these patients. Researchers reviewed many studies to find how PR could help. They looked at trials involving adult COVID-19 patients, comparing those who received PR with those who did not. Key outcomes measured included physical capacity, lung function, fatigue, and quality of life. Out of nearly 20,000 records, 37 randomized controlled trials were included in the final analysis. Most trials used telerehabilitation or face-to-face sessions. Some trials focused on breathing exercises, while others combined them with various exercises. The most success came from programs that combined both types of exercises. Findings showed that PR can significantly improve physical capacity, with one measure showing an average increase in walking distance by nearly 78 meters after rehabilitation. It also helped lung function and quality of life markedly, particularly in programs lasting 4 to 8 weeks. Moreover, PR reduced anxiety and fatigue but did not significantly alleviate depression. This suggests that patients might need extra treatments for depression. Most trials reported few adverse events, indicating that PR is generally safe. In summary, early intervention with pulmonary rehabilitation, especially if it combines breathing and multicomponent exercises, can greatly improve symptoms in long COVID patients. The study highlights the importance of getting timely and tailored rehabilitation to enhance recovery.