Izwan Zuhrin Abdul Malek
University Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaTitle: Effects of a Structured Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome and
psychological function among post-COVID-19
patients who joined a structured outpatient Pulmonary
Rehabilitation (PR) program.
Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at
the Rehabilitation Department, Hospital Serdang
from January until August 2021. Individuals with a
diagnosis of COVID-19 infection category 3, 4 and
5 underwent 4 weeks of PR program as outpatients.
Outcome measures include 6 Minute Walk Test
(6MWT), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and
Grip Strength (GS) of the dominant hand. Data from
pre- and post-program were analysed using Wilcoxon
Signed Ranks
Test: Depression, Anxiety, Stress
Scale (DASS-21 item) pre- and post-program were
analysed using the likelihood ratio test.
Results: A total of 20 patients completed the program,
with the majority of them had COVID-19
category 5 (47.6%), being male (66.7%) and with a
median age of 47 ± 11.9. There was a significant
difference in 6MWT, DASI (both p < 0.001) and GS
of the dominant hand (p < 0.05). Mean difference
of the 6MWT pre- and post-program was 73 meters.
There was an improvement in the severity level of
DASS-21 items.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the PR
program is beneficial to improve functional outcomes
for COVID-19 survivors. With regards to the
psychological assessment, there was an improvement
in the level of depression, anxiety and stress severity.
Biography
Dr Izwan Zuhrin is a Rehabilitation Medicine
Physician and Medical Lecturer from the
University Putra Malaysia. He is currently the head
of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. With
extensive expertise in patient care and
rehabilitation research, he is committed to
improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Driven by a passion for innovative treatment
strategies, he actively engages in teaching,
mentoring, and contributing to academic
conferences and professional organizations.