Beyond COVID-19: Evidence-Based Consensus Statement on the Role of Physiotherapy in Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the Indian Context.

ABSTRACT

Post COVID-19 sequelae includes breathlessness, weakness, fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance and impaired quality of life. Physiotherapy based rehabilitation program is an essential component for post COVID-19 patients in facilitating maximum functional recovery. Expert consensus statements are available from the developed countries. There is a need for a guidelines to manage post COVID-19 sequelae in Indian context. The objective of this consensus statement is to provide evidence informed guidelines for post COVID-19 physiotherapy management as a component of pulmonary rehabilitation. This consensus statement was developed by expert panel across India. Published literatures were appraised and used to prepare the recommendations. This is the first of its kind of work providing preliminary guidelines for post COVID-19 physiotherapy.