Background and Objectives The neuromuscular system is responsible for performing adequate muscle activities to maintain postural balance. Since COVID‐19 can cause damage to this system, long‐term sequelae might alter control of postural stability. This study aimed to evaluate the postural balance of patients with post‐acute COVID‐19 syndrome (PCS) who were not hospitalized and to evaluate the correlations of changes in postural balance with general fatigue, muscle strength, and quality of life (QoL). Methods This was a cross‐sectional study in which 40 patients with PCS and 40 controls underwent balance assessment through the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti Balance Scale (TBS). They were evaluated for general fatigue by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Fatigue (FACIT‐F) scale, handgrip strength (HGS), and quality of life (QoL) by the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36). Results When compared to controls, patients with PCS had lower BBS and TBS scores ( p = 0.001 for both). The FACIT‐F score was lower in PCS patients ( p = 0.0001). HGS was slightly lower in the PCS patients, but not statistically significant ( p = 0.09). Regarding QoL, PCS patients showed worse evaluations in five dimensions of the SF‐36 (physical functioning, physical role limitations, bodily pain, general health perceptions, and mental health). Both the BBS and TBS scores had statistically significant positive correlations with the FACIT‐F score, HGS, and two SF‐36 dimensions (physical role limitations and emotional role limitations). Conclusions Patients with PCS show worse postural balance than controls, which is associated with general fatigue, lower HGS, and poor QoL. Postural balance assessment should be considered in the follow‐up and rehabilitation of PCS.

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BACKGROUND: Recent initiatives, such as earlier diagnosis and treatment, have enhanced the survival of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Despite these initiatives, there is extreme variability in rehabilitation strategies for these patients. In 2006, the Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) was developed to evaluate functional capacity using multiple tasks similar to the activities of daily living (ADLs). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) on functional capacity using TGlittre and to examine the effects of TOHR on physical function, hand function, and quality of life (QoL) among women with SSc. METHODS: This quasi-experimental and longitudinal study included 12 women with SSc who underwent TOHR 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Before and after TOHR, functional capacity was assessed using TGlittre, physical function was examined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), hand function was evaluated using the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS) and handgrip strength (HGS), and QoL was evaluated using the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: When comparing the pre- and post-TOHR values of TGlittre, a significant reduction was found in total time (p= 0.002) and manual time (p= 0.010). There was a nonsignificant decrease in HAQ-DI scores between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.07). Regarding hand function, there was a significant reduction in the CHFS between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.036), although no significant difference was observed in HGS between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.08). Regarding QoL, there was an increase in all SF-36 categories, although physical function was the only category that was significantly increased (p= 0.008). CONCLUSION: After TOHR, patients with SSc are able to more quickly perform TGlittre tasks when considering both total and manual times. TOHR also positively affects manual skills and QoL.