Studies show that those suffering from long COVID may benefit from physical therapy services as soon as they are able to tolerate physical activity, a PCOM Georgia assistant professor, who specializes in cardiopulmonary physical therapy, said.
Patients who have long COVID present with an abundance of symptoms resulting in functional deficits associated with cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and, in some cases cognitive deficits. These symptoms result in a significant functional decline impacting quality of life.
Alaina Bell, PT, DPT, who is a board-certified specialist in cardiopulmonary physical therapy, says that recent research reports that physical therapists are directly involved in the treatment of long COVID symptoms across all settings, including inpatient, acute care and outpatient environments.
A study by the American Physical Therapy Association indicates that physical therapy services can improve outcomes related to cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal system impairments and quality of life in patients experiencing the effects of long COVID, which consists of “signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue to develop after acute COVID-19 infection. These conditions can last weeks, months or years,” according to the CDC.
“I believe that treatment outcomes for all patients are maximized with a multidisciplinary
team approach,” Dr. Bell said. Physical therapists can provide individualized rehabilitation programs to those with long COVID.
“For example,” she continued, “we can teach them how to manage fatigue to improve exercise tolerance, provide targeted breathing exercises to strengthen muscles of respiration, improve lung capacity, and enhance overall strength, flexibility, and mobility.”
The CDC reports that long COVID typically affects those with severe COVID-19 illness requiring admission to a hospital intensive care unit, those who are immunocompromised with underlying health conditions, and the unvaccinated. In addition to adults, long COVID can affect both children and adolescents.
“Physical therapists have unique skills, making them key multidisciplinary team members facilitating the patient's return to optimal function both during their hospital stay and after discharge,” Bell said.
Pulmonary rehabilitation, which focuses on the cardiopulmonary system, may be performed by either a physical therapist or a respiratory therapist. According to studies published in UC Davis Health News and by the American Physical Therapy Association, strengthening exercises, aerobic training, and stretching help to return patients to their prior level of function.
The studies indicate that the focus is on breathing retraining to improve ventilation, coughing techniques to improve secretion clearance, and exercises to improve both diaphragmatic strength and muscles assisting in respiration.
“Research supports the initiation of early physical therapy to promote functional mobility, decrease medical complications associated with bed rest, and return the patient to their prior level of function,” Bell said.
She added: “Georgia is a direct access state, allowing patients to seek outpatient physical therapy services without a physician referral. Patients with long COVID can use physical therapy services to improve their symptoms and quality of life.”
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
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