Telemedicine platform COVIDREHAB for remote rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19

Abstract

The world's practice has shown the importance of medical rehabilitation, which allows increasing the effectiveness of treatment of patients with COVID-19, and also significantly reduce the risks of developing complications after COVID-19. Moreover, timely medical rehabilitation reduces the frequency of disability retirement. We developed and investigated the effectiveness of the telemedicine platform “COVIDREHAB” in order to enhance the effectiveness of the recovery period during self-isolation, as well as to provide access to rehabilitation for patients residing in remote areas or unable to undergo in-person medical rehabilitation. This pilot open clinical study includes 178 patients (108 women and 70 men) aged 32 to 82 years [mean age 50 (33-56) years] who had a moderate disease of COVID-19. We used the specialised platform COVIDREHAB for remote monitoring of the rehabilitation efficiency of patients who suffered from COVID-19. During the study, the supervising doctor assigned the patient a set of specialised questionnaires, which were filled in online. The questionnaires distributed to the patient included questions specifically designed for the COVIDREHAB remote platform as well as the mMRC (Modified Medical Research Council) questionnaire. Patients who completed the remote rehabilitation programme were found to have positive dynamics of indicators of the respiratory system functional state, and complaints.Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important part of case management for patients with respiratory diseases and plays an active role in improving lung function and general well-being of patients. Patients who completed the comprehensive medical rehabilitation program using the information and analytical system COVIDREHAB, were found to have positive dynamics of indicators of the respiratory system functional state, and complaints. Hence, at the end of the course the shortness of breath severity decreased (from 34.8% to 12.4%, as well as the feeling of lack of oxygen from 32% to 17.4%, p <0.05). We anticipate the online approach to rehabilitation will improve the functioning of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, restore physical function, reduce anxiety and depression, and restore quality of life. An essential benefit of this program is the prevention of secondary complications and reduction of serious adverse effects of COVID-19 treatment."

Effect of telemonitoring and telerehabilitation on physical activity, exercise capacity, health-related quality of life and healthcare use in patients with chronic lung diseases or COVID-19: A scoping review

“…Twenty-seven of the studies involved mobile apps, web pages, or virtual platforms accessed using a laptop, tablet or smartphone. 39 , 41 – 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 55 , 59 – 61 , 63 – 69 , 71 , 72 , 74 – 76 , 79 – 81 In two studies the intervention was delivered using a teleconference platform, 66 , 76 and one social platform. 67 Other transmitting devices/systems used in the studies included the health buddy device, 40 , 51 the iRobi robot, 73 a PalmOne, 45 touch screen telemonitoring equipment, 57 a home health system connected to a phone line, 53 a computer-linked interactive phone tele-system, 48 a tele-modem, 50 , 54 , 62 , 82 a satellite platform, 83 computer or push-bottom telephone, 58 handheld monitor connected to a phone line, 52 a digital pen and health dairy paper together with SMS.…”

“…Overall well-being improved in 83% of COVID-19 patients who participated in an intervention involving telerehabilitation and telemonitoring 75 ( Table 3 ). Telemonitoring interventions were associated with an improvement in HRQoL in patients with asthma 42 , 45 , 58 , 61 , 63 and COPD (4 of 6 studies), 46 , 49 , 51 , 60 and no changes in HRQoL were identified in one study that included both asthma and COPD patients combined.…”

Intensive care unit-acquired weakness: A review from molecular mechanisms to its impact in COVID-2019

“…116 A detailed neurological and muscular evaluation is also essential because many ICU-AW patients with COVID-19 may have early deficits. 146 If the long-term physical consequences of COVID-19 on skeletal muscle are added to the effects of ICU-AW, [147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156] recovery is complex, along with the high health care costs that this entails. 117 It is crucial to start a nutritional intervention and preventive physical and respiratory therapy to delay the accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and maintain respiratory function during the ICU stay.…”

Non-pharmacological therapies for post-viral syndromes, including Long COVID: A systematic review

“…96 Non-controlled studies and those in populations without continuous symptoms in line with our definition of Long COVID, suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation techniques are beneficial in patients who have experienced COVID-19. 26,27,30,38,43,47,53,54,56,59,60,63,66,70,78,85 Pulmonary rehabilitation is likely to benefit those experiencing dyspnoea following COVID-19 but further trial evidence is needed to support the appropriateness, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in those with symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks. Such evidence might be provided by ongoing RCTs designed for this purpose, such as the Rehabilitation Exercise and Psychological Support after COVID-19 Infection (REGAIN)trial which is evaluating the effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme for adults with ongoing COVID-19 sequelae for more than three months after hospital discharge.…”