A adesão de idosos com a síndrome pós-COVID-19 a um programa de telerreabilitação pulmonar

Abstract

Introduction: Recent evidence suggests residual symptoms after SARS­CoV­2 infection and the development of COVID­19 such as dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, joint pain, cognitive disorders and decreased quality of life. These symptoms can go beyond the acute phase of the disease and remain from four to 12 weeks, being called post­COVID­19 syndrome. Due to pulmonary manifestations, a pulmonary rehabilitation program is necessary for these individuals in order to improve fatigue, dyspnea, and exercise tolerance. Telerehabilitation uses information and communication technology to promote distance rehabilitation using various resources such as audio, video, virtual consultations, videoconferences, among others. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adherence of elderly individuals with the post COVID­19 syndrome to a pulmonary telerehabilitation program. Methods: This is a quasi­experimental study. Adherence was measured as the frequency (number of sessions) in which individuals participated, since admission to the program. Low frequency < 35%, moderate 35­85% and high > 85% were considered. Results: Twenty­five individuals were included in the study. Most of the sample consisted of women and most participants had mild functional limitations. Most elderlies showed high adherence to the program, with participation of more than 85% of previously attendance. The functional status of the participants was varied among the different rates of adherence to the telerehabilitation program. Eleven subjects did not complete the program. There were several reasons for that, among them, functional limitations such as orthopedic pain that prevented the continuation of the proposed exercises; self­perception of health and non­specific ones. Conclusion: Adherence of elderly individuals with post­COVID­19 syndrome to a pulmonary telerehabilitation program was high. Although it was not the majority, there was a large number of individuals who dropped out of the program, and the reasons for dropping out ranged from family problems to functional limitations that prevented the continuity of the program, but the majority did not present justification for dropping out.