Effect of Home-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on Anxiety and Depression in COVID-19 Patients

Background: Respiratory failure caused by pneumonia is the leading cause of death in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients; furthermore, anxiety and depression caused by this disease and its complications, as the most common psychological disorders might harm the mental health of COVID-19 patients. Objectives: This study aimed to look into the effect of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) program on anxiety and depression in COVID-19 patients (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 COVID-19 patients in Kerman, Iran, in 2021, randomly allocated into 2 equal groups of control (n = 35) and intervention (n = 35). In the control group, the patients received only routine post-discharge care, and in the intervention group, the patients received HBPR procedures based on the “Guide to Restoring Movement COVID-19 Protocol” by John Hopkins University, the United States, that teaches to patients after discharge. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to determine anxiety and depression status and scores before and after 4-week procedures. Additionally, the chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare anxiety and depression status and scores between the 2 groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The median score of anxiety (5 vs. 14, P < 0.0001) and depression (6 vs. 10, P < 0.0001), 4 weeks after discharge from the hospital in the intervention group, was significantly lower than in the control group based on the Mann-Whitney U test (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: This rehabilitation procedure is effective in the reduction of anxiety and depression in COVID-19 patients and their pulmonary status. Therefore, it can be used as a treatment procedure for mental recovery in these patients.