1. Physical functioning post-COVID-19 and the recovery process: a mixed methods study.
- Author
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Tofiq, Avin, Eriksson Crommert, Martin, Zakrisson, Ann-Britt, von Euler, Mia, and Nilsing Strid, Emma
- Subjects
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QUALITATIVE research , *STATISTICAL hypothesis testing , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *INTERVIEWING , *FUNCTIONAL assessment , *ACCELEROMETERS , *CONTENT analysis , *OXYGEN therapy , *FUNCTIONAL status , *QUANTITATIVE research , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *REFLECTION (Philosophy) , *EXPERIENCE , *CONVALESCENCE , *RESEARCH methodology , *EXERCISE tests , *DATA analysis software , *PHYSICAL activity , *COVID-19 , *GRIP strength , *MUSCLE contraction , *PATIENTS' attitudes - Abstract
To describe physical functioning after severe COVID-19-infection. An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used. Thirty-nine participants performed tests and answered questionnaires measuring physical functioning six months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19. Thirty of these participants participated in semi-structured interviews with questions regarding how they perceived their physical functioning and recovery from COVID-19 at 12 months post-hospitalisation. At six months, physical functioning measured via chair stand test and hip-worn accelerometers was lower than normal reference values. There was a reduction in breathing muscle strength. Participants estimated their functional status during different activities as lower compared to those before COVID-19-infection, measured with a patient-specific functional scale. At one year after infection, there were descriptions of a rough recovery process and remaining symptoms. Patients recovering from severe COVID-19 seem to have reduced physical functioning and activity levels, and they perceive their recovery to be slow and difficult. They experienced a lack of clinical support and contradictory advice regarding rehabilitation. Coaching in returning to physical functioning after the infection needs to be better co-ordinated and there is a need for guidelines for health professionals to avoid patients receiving contradictory advice. Coronavirus infection disease-19 (COVID-19) can have a great impact on a person's physical functioning. In the early course of the COVID-19 pandemic there were not any clear guidelines regarding rehabilitation for this group of patients. As some people with COVID-19 may have impairments in their physical functioning up to one year after leaving hospital there is a need to provide rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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