Effects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on the Patients with COVID-19 infection

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a threat to human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated it as a Public Health Emergency. It affects the respiratory system and may cause pneumonia. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on patients with COVID-19. Methods: A total of 155 patients with COVID-19 were included and divided into two groups in this randomized clinical trial. The intervention group was treated with standard treatment along with PR and the control group was treated with standard treatment only. Evidence of improvement was assessed weekly for four weeks. The student’s ‘t’ test and Chi-square test were done to observe the level of significance as required. Results: There was an improvement of symptoms in both groups after treatment. But in comparison between groups, there was more improvement found in PR receiving group than the control group. Finally, O2 requirement was same in both groups. Peripheral oxygen saturation was increased in the PR group than the control group after treatment. More improvement of dyspnea was found after treatment in PR group. Significant improvement in breathing was found after treatment in PR receiving patients than in the control group. Conclusions: PR receiving patients showed more improvement in this study. So, PR may be advocated to improve the symptoms of COVID-19. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2023; 49(1): 56-62