Physical Therapy Management of Postacute Sequelae of COVID-19 in Outpatient Settings: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose: The devasting effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have warranted the rapid development of evidence surrounding the physical therapy (PT) management of the disease within inpatient settings. However, the medical community is still working to define the long-term effects of COVID-19, referred to as Postacute Sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), and ways for physical therapists to manage them in outpatient settings. The primary objective of this review was to summarize the available evidence related to the PT management of PASC in outpatient settings. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane CENTRAL, Academic Search Complete, and MedLine yielded systematic and scoping reviews and randomized controlled trials, among others. Data extraction was performed independently by 2 reviewers with 8 studies included. Results: Only 3 publications were specific to the outpatient setting area, with 5 more studies that focused on outpatient practice as part of a multisetting study, or the postacute setting. Although the limited number and quality of publications creates challenges applying the interventions provided across a population, each were specific to PASC. Conclusions: This review supports the need for further research focused on the PT management of patients who are experiencing PASC in outpatient settings.