According to Harvard Health Blog, recent studies indicate that 50-80% of patients recovered from COVID-19 continue to have at least one adverse symptom three months after the onset, even if the patient no longer tests positive for the virus.
This emerging condition has been described using a variety of terms, including “Post-Covid-19 Syndrome,” “Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-COV2 infection (PASC),” and “Long COVID,” with the people experiencing these symptoms sometimes referred to as “Long-Haulers.”
As healthcare providers to the most vulnerable population, it is our duty to monitor the evolving evidence in this area and adapt for timely identification and intervention of needs.
Though what predisposes an individual to develop Long COVID is still unknown, a number of those with even mild symptoms have continued to experience lingering effects. Some of the troublesome symptoms that have been observed include many of the same musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, oral/respiratory, neurological and psychological dysfunctions that are seen with active COVID-19. Furthermore, it has been noted that some individuals recovering from COVID-19 develop new conditions or complications of pre-existing conditions as a result of the illness.
Rehabilitation’s distinct role in COVID recovery and Long COVID is clear. Therapy can intervene to assist long-haul patients by maximizing their participation and performance in daily function with the use of the following:
- Referral to the interdisciplinary team when changes in clinical presentation emerge
- Patient-specific musculoskeletal and neurological re-training
- Individualized cardiopulmonary programming
- Dysphagia analysis and treatment
- Compensatory strategies to assist with cognitive re-training
- Environmental modifications to facilitate increased participation and decreased risk of injury
- Trauma-informed approaches to care when addressing the psychological effects of prolonged isolation
- Patient and caregiver training on adaptive techniques and equipment
- Patient education to promote health literacy
Evidence continues to emerge, but the tools and knowledge do exist to address the physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs that COVID-19 has introduced. Whether newly diagnosed as COVID positive, challenged by long-term effects of Long COVID or facing an entirely new condition as a result of COVID-19, a patient or resident will never feel alone as they can rest assured that we’re with them for the long haul.
