A Pilot Study on a Nurse Rehabilitation Program: Could It Be Applied to COVID-19 Patients?
José Manuel Afonso MoreiraPedro FonsecaSusana MiguelPublished in: International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
(1) Background: An aging population, pollution and an increase in life habits that are harmful to respiratory health, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to an increase in chronic respiratory diseases. Thus, this pilot study aims to describe an intervention program on the training of respiratory patients to maintain airway permeability and preventing complications. (2) Methods: An observational, analytical, and prospective study was proposed. After the initial evaluation of each user during hospitalization, the program started with two sessions, at discharge for the second phase, and fifteen days after discharge for the third phase. Throughout the program's implementation, the modified Medical Research Council scale and the Barthel Index were applied. (3) Results: The population studied aged between 39 and 76 years, diagnosed with pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, showed a significant improvement in the degrees of dyspnea and levels of functionality, as well as an adequate level of learning. (4) Conclusions: This program positively impacted the patients' independence by reducing dyspnea and increasing functionality of the patients included in this study. The set of exercises and techniques can be replicated at home and may be fundamental in the management of respective recovery, as well as in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keyphrases
- end stage renal disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- healthcare
- chronic kidney disease
- peritoneal dialysis
- randomized controlled trial
- primary care
- sars cov
- risk assessment
- palliative care
- heavy metals
- drinking water
- patient reported
- high intensity
- cystic fibrosis
- social media
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- health risk assessment
- health information
- solid state