Motor and Sensory Balance Deficits in Individuals Immediately After COVID-19, a Cohort Study

Background and Purpose: Individuals with cardiorespiratory dysfunction demonstrate postural instability and increased risk of falls. Given that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is commonly defined as a respiratory condition, it could be presumed that these patients may demonstrate similar balance deficits. This study aimed to determine deficits and characterize balance dysfunction (sensory or motor) in hospitalized patients classified as “COVID-19 recovered.” Methods: Twenty-five participants consented for this study. Participants completed the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), a questionnaire about dizziness, the Timed “Up & Go” (TUG), and the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance in a single session. The percentage of subjects who scored abnormal on the outcome measures was calculated. Correlations between demographics, respiratory function, and clinical outcome measures were determined using Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: All participants had abnormal scores on the TUG, 88% had abnormal scores on the ABC, and 48% of the subjects had abnormal scores on standing on foam eyes closed indicating difficulty using vestibular information. No correlation coefficient above 0.50 was found between the demographic information, respiratory function, and clinical outcome measures. Discussion: Clinical outcome measure scores did not correlate with respiratory function indicating that the deficits may be due to the extrapulmonary components of COVID-19. Conclusion: Both young and older adults presented with motor and sensory balance deficits acutely after COVID-19 infection. It is recommended that individuals acutely post–COVID-19 receive education and interventions to increase mobility, improve balance, decrease fall risk, and specifically receive activities that stimulate the vestibular system.