Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42320154›Full record

ReviewBrazilian journal of physical therapy

Physiotherapy management of Long-COVID: an evidence-based approach.

Jack Reeves, Enya Daynes, Tania Janaudis-Ferreira, Kriti Agarwal, Lissa Spencer, Ling-Ling Tsai, Jennifer A Alison

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Brazilian journal of physical therapy. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jack ReevesDiscipline of Physiotherapy, Graduate School of Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2008, Sydney, Australia; Department of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia; Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: jack.reeves@uts.edu.au.
Enya DaynesCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, Biomedical Research Centre-Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK.
Tania Janaudis-FerreiraRespiratory Epidemiology and Clinical Research Unit, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.
Kriti AgarwalSchool of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Lissa SpencerDepartment of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia; Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Ling-Ling TsaiDepartment of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, NSW, 2050, Sydney, Australia; Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Jennifer A AlisonSydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLong-COVID is a heterogenous, episodic, and multisystemic condition which can result following infection with a novel pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Whilst a precise pathophysiological cause is unknown, several mechanisms are hypothesised, each with plausible scientific rationale. Most people experiencing persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection recover, yet some experience severe and debilitating illness for years after infection. Strategies to manage the sequelae of Long-COVID can improve the lives of sufferers.

objectiveTo describe the physiotherapy management of Long-COVID based on current evidence. CONTENT: Those with 'invisible illness' (illness without outwardly visible signs), such as Long-COVID, often report stigmatisation and scepticism from healthcare systems. Validation of the experience of those with Long-COVID is therefore crucial to ensure patient-centred care. Thorough patient assessment is required to provide tailored management approaches given the diversity of Long-COVID presentations. Red flags that may contraindicate certain rehabilitation approaches (particularly exercise-based interventions) or that warrant further investigation should be considered. Assessments of fatigue, post-exertional malaise, respiratory symptoms, neurocognitive symptoms (i.e., brain fog), physical function, and orthostatic intolerance are strongly recommended. Management strategies may involve pacing and energy conservation techniques, pulmonary rehabilitation, inspiratory muscle training, dysfunctional breathing retraining, lifestyle and dietary strategies to manage orthostatic intolerance, and return-to-work planning.

conclusionPhysiotherapists are well positioned to deliver individualised, patient-centred, and validating care based on best available evidence.

Indexed as

COVID-19Physical Therapy ModalitiesHumansPandemicsPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeSARS-CoV-2Long-covidPhysical therapyPost-acute sequelae of covidPost-covid condition

Identifiers

PMID42320154
PMCPMC13314791

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.