ABSTRACT
Introduction: To our knowledge, there are no published studies on the implementation and results of Pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) in Argentina. Our objective was to describe PTR strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of the different PTR modalities and the patient satisfaction. Method(s): A prospective study was carried out between April and August 2020. Patients who switched to different PTR modalities participated: synchronous (SPTR) or asynchronous (APTR). The level of satisfaction, quality of life with the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks were evaluated. Result(s): 20 centers participated. 299 patients were included (55.9% female), with a median (P25-75) age of 68 (62- 72) years, 184/249 (73.9%) diagnosed with COPD, 37 (14.9%) interstitial lung diseases, 12 (4.8%) asthma and 16 (6.4%) other CRD. 110 (36.8%) patients underwent SPTR and 189 (63.2%) with APTR. No differences were observed in the SGRQ and HADS except in the activities subscale of the SGRQ that increased significantly (p<0.05) in both groups, the impact subscale and the total that increased significantly in the SPTR group at 12 weeks (p<0.01). Both groups reported being satisfied with the PTR, 5.9 (5.4-6.3) in SPTR and 5 (4.6-5.4) in APTR, being significantly higher in SPTR (p=0.004) Conclusion(s): We observed significant satisfaction with PRT during the pandemic. No improvements were seen in quality of life, anxiety, or depression.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The impact caused by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has considerably altered the provision of outpatient rehabilitation services, especially pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Objective(s): To describe the situation of PR services in Latin America 18 months after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): Cross-sectional study in which a survey was sent to professionals from PR centers in Latin America. An online questionnaire was applied from May to September 2021. The following data were included: demographic data of the programs, evaluation strategies, program structure, RP intervention in post-COVID-19 patients, and perception of therapeutic strategies for the care of post-COVID patients. COVID-19. The questionnaire was distributed in Spanish and Portuguese languages. This study was approved by the ethics committee. Result(s): Responses were received from 196 centers from 14 countries;Most of the surveys were answered by physiotherapists/kinesiologists in 65.7%. In the evaluation of exercise tolerance, the 6-minute walk test is the most used. Less than 50% of the institutions evaluate the quality of life, symptoms, and lung function. In the prescription of exercise intensity, there is reduced use of CPET and it is prescribed mainly with subjective scales of symptoms (Borg Scale) (78.1%), and response to exercise with vital signs (71.4%). The programs have, practically, for the most part, physical therapists (90.8%), as well as pulmonologists (60%), psychologists (35%), among other professionals. Conclusion(s): The application of these programs in Latin America is heterogeneous, both in the evaluations and the interventions carried out.