Telerehabilitation programmes can support Long COVID patients

Telerehabilitation programmes that are accessed from home can provide tangible benefits to people with Long COVID symptoms. This is the result of a comprehensive review. The researchers evaluated 28 international studies comprising a total of around 1,400 participants, in which these programmes were used. Telerehabilitation programmes are therapeutic interventions that are delivered remotely and not in a local doctor’s surgery or a hospital. This is done via devices such as computers or smartphones that have the necessary app installed.

The studies reviewed show significant improvements of the participants’ physical capacity. On average, patients were able to walk longer distances after having completed a telerehabilitation programme than before. They also found it easier again to stand up from a chair. Their shortness of breath and fatigue lessened, as well. The term fatigue describes a state of permanent, severe physical and mental exhaustion, which does not improve with sufficient sleep or rest.

There was, however, no measurable impact of telerehabilitation on mental health and specifically on anxiety and depressive symptoms. Pulmonary function, too, only improved on one score. No serious adverse events were reported across the studies. However, most studies did not focus on investigating the programmes’ safety.

The researchers emphasize that digital care services need to be complemented by targeted support to treat mental health as well as pulmonary symptoms. They also stress the importance of larger studies in order to better assess the safety of telerehabilitation programmes for those affected.