EFFECTIVENESS OF THE THIRD STAGE REHABILITATION MEASURES IN PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF COVID-19

Abstract

Aim. This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of rehabilitation protocols in patients with a history of COVID-19. Materials and methods. This prospective study was conducted in the Medical Rehabilitation Department of City Clinical Hospital No. 2 in Chelyabinsk. One hundred sixty-one patients underwent a series of assessments using validated tools (Borg scale, mMRC, HADS) and the 6-minute walk test. Results. The sample consisted of one hundred sixty-one patients; 79 men and 82 women; mean age 59.6 ± 7.3 years. Data analysis revealed statistical improvements in physical functioning: significant reductions in mMRC (from 1.0 ± 0.07 to 0.6 ± 0.1) and Borg (from 1.8 ± 0.1 to 0.8 ± 0.3) scores were observed; mean walk distances increased from 450.8.6 ± 6.31 to 524.0 ± 9.8 m (p ≤ 0.05). While psychological test results showed positive trends, they did not reach statistical significance. By the third stage of rehabilitation, 73.3 and 26.7% of patients achieved 3 and 2 points, respectively, on the rehabilitation routing scale (RRS). Significant reductions in RRS scores were observed with time, with 8.4% of patients having 3 points, 61.6% – 2 points, 30.30% – 1 point, and 3.7% – 0 points (no rehabilitation required). Conclusion. The study shows the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitation protocols in enhancing physical tolerance and quality of life in patients with a history of COVID-19.