In response to COVID-19, a global epidemic in recent years, Taiwan Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association formed an expert group to hold a consensus meeting and draw up rehabilitation plans for patients. Patients were divided into five categories according to the severity of the disease, and different pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines were given.
- Outpatient patients with mild disease and no risk factors
- Out-patients with mild disease and epidemiological risk factors
- Inpatients with moderate and severe diseases
- Ventilatory support for conscious patients
- Ventilator-supported unconscious patients
The following two articles, we will be introducing rehabilitation and treatment in each categories respectively.
Although such patients can be rehabilitate at home under the above conditions, their health needs to be closely monitored. If any adverse events occur, exercise training should be stopped immediately. If symptoms are severe or do not recover, medical assistance should be sought immediately.
In our next article, we will introduce a lung rehabilitation program for patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 whose symptoms are well suited.
Article source:
- Cheng Y-Y et al., Rehabilitation programs for patients with CoronaVirus Disease 2019: consensus statements of Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2020.08.015
Reference:
- World Health Organization. Living guidance for clinical management of COVID-19. Available from:
- World Health Organization. Support for rehabilitation self-management after COVID-19-related illness (2020).
- World Health Organization. Home care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and management of their contacts.