Telerehabilitation is Effective to Recover Functionality and Increase Skeletal Muscle Mass Index in COVID-19 Survivors

Authors

  • Jorge Cancino-López Exercise Physiology and Metabolism Laboratory, Medicine Faculty, Finis Terrae University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3620-9861
  • Patricio Zarricueta Vergara Sports Corporation of Florida,
  • Bárbara Leyton Dinamarca Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6982-5447
  • Pedro Figueroa Contreras Sports Corporation of Florida, La Florida
  • Luis Miño Cárcamo, Sports Corporation of Florida, La Florida
  • Nicolás Cartagena Ibarra Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile
  • Johana Soto-Sánchez Department of Physical Activity, Faculty of Sciences of Physical Activity and Sports, Research Laboratory in Physical Activity and Sport. University of Playa Ancha.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6415

Keywords:

Barthel index, COVID-19, Hand grip strength, Skeletal muscle mass, Physical therapy, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a telerehabilitation program for COVID-19 survivors on their functionality, aerobic capacity, upper-lower body strength and skeletal muscle mass index. Methods: Fifty patients (22 M); age 54.1±15.4 who became ill with COVID-19 during 2020 completed a 24-session telerehabilitation program. The following measures were taken: Barthel’s index, two minutes step test (2MST), elbow flexion one-repetition maximal (1RM), short physical performance battery (SPPB), hand grip strength, 30-second chair stand, skeletal muscle index (SMI), body fat percentage, resting pulse, arterial blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Results: There was a significant increase in the Barthel index (p?0.0001), 2MST (p?0.0001), 1RM elbow flexion (p?0.0001), SPPB (p?0.0001), hand grip strength (p?0.0001), 30-second chair stand (p?0.0001), and SMI (p?0.0001). Conclusion: A 24 session in-home telerehabilitation program promoted the recovery of physical independence and increases in skeletal muscle mass index and physical fitness.

  

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Published

2021-12-08

How to Cite

Cancino-López, J., Zarricueta Vergara, P. ., Leyton Dinamarca, B., Figueroa Contreras, P., Miño Cárcamo, , L., Cartagena Ibarra, N., & Soto-Sánchez, J. (2021). Telerehabilitation is Effective to Recover Functionality and Increase Skeletal Muscle Mass Index in COVID-19 Survivors. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6415

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Clinical Practice - COVID 19

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