Open AccessFeasibility and Efficacy of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in a Rehabilitation Center
Author(s) -
Simone Pancera,
Silvia Galeri,
Roberto Porta,
Irene Pietta,
Luca Bianchi,
Maria Chiara Carrozza,
Jorge Hugo Villafañe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1932-751X
pISSN - 1932-7501
DOI - 10.1097/hcr.0000000000000529
Subject(s) - medicine , ards , rehabilitation , pulmonary rehabilitation , nasal cannula , mechanical ventilation , cannula , intensive care unit , quality of life (healthcare) , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , surgery , lung , anesthesia , nursing
A 51-yr-old man underwent a respiratory rehabilitation program (RRP), after being tracheostomized and ventilated due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Respiratory care, early mobilization, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation were started in the ad hoc isolation ward of our rehabilitation center. At baseline, muscle function was consistent with intensive care unit-acquired weakness and the patient still needed mechanical ventilation (MV) and oxygen support. During the first week of RRP in isolation, the patient was successfully weaned from MV, the tracheal cannula was removed, and the walking capacity was recovered. At the end of the RRP, continued in a standard department, respiratory muscles strength increased by 7% and muscle function improved as indicated by the quadriceps size enlargement of 13% and the change of the Medical Research Council sum score from 48/60 to 58/60.