The role of exercise therapy in reducing respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review

Abstract

Background/Aims Respiratory-related complaints such as dyspnoea, shortness of breath and inability to perform their activities of daily living have been reported by people who have contracted COVID-19. Physiotherapy can play a vital role in management of these symptoms. The aim of this review study was to systematically evaluate the role of exercise therapy in reducing respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Methods A search of PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases was conducted from December 2019 to November 2022. Studies were included if: the study design was a randomised controlled trial or quasi-experimental; participants had COVID-19 disease; the intervention was exercise therapy; and respiratory symptoms were evaluated as outcome measures. The quailty of included studies was independently evaluated by two authors using the PEDro scale. Results A total of 11 articles were selected for final analysis, which included both face-to-face therapy and telerehabilitation. Without considering their scientific rigour, the findings of the studies reported that exercise therapy, such as breathing exercises, strengthening exercises, aerobic exercises, lower limb muscle strength exercises and stretching exercises, had significant effects in reducing dyspnoea and increasing physical capacity and lung function. Conclusions Exercise therapy interventions could be effective in improving respiratory symptoms including lung function, dyspnoea and physical capacity. While some studies examined face-to-face exercise therapy and showed improvement in symptoms, it is suggested that the effect of telerehabilitation should be investigated in future studies. Implications for practice Physiotherapists can use exercise therapy alongside other physical therapy interventions for patients with COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses.