Premium
Postural balance and its association with functionality and quality of life in non‐hospitalized patients with post‐acute COVID‐19 syndrome
Author(s) -
Sousa Kennedy Cristian Alves,
Gardel Damara Guedes,
Lopes Agnaldo José
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.1967
Subject(s) - tinetti test , berg balance scale , balance (ability) , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , nursing
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.