COVID-19 Infection Is Associated With Loss of Muscle Strength

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory and multisystem infection accompanied by risk for multisystemic problems. Recent research proposed a risk for skeletal muscle weakness among those who experienced COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify if muscle strength impairment follows COVID-19 infection. Methods: This systematic review of the literature complied with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the design of the review was registered prospectively with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). To reveal appropriate studies, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Risk of bias was measured through the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Methodology Checklist 3: Cohort studies. Results: Included were 6 studies with a total of 659 participants with COVID-19 infection (mean age: 59.8 years), all of whom were hospitalized or in a nursing facility. Risk of bias assessment revealed that 5 of the studies were of acceptable methodological quality and 1 was of high quality. Four of the studies measured strength using hand-grip dynamometry, 3 studies measured strength using handheld dynamometry, and 1 study measured performance on the 1-minute sit-to-stand test. Across all studies the results showed some degree of a decrease in skeletal muscle strength. Discussion: Those with more severe COVID-19 infections were at greater risk for weakness within skeletal muscles. Two studies measured performance by larger muscles (ie, those with greater cross-sectional size) and identified that larger muscles were at greater risk for weakness. Conclusion: People recovering from a COVID-19 infection are at risk for experiencing muscle weakness. Clinicians should measure strength among patients who have had COVID-19 infection, including the performance of larger muscles.