SPECIAL ARTICLE  COVID-19 IMPACT IN CHINA Free access

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2020 June;56(3):335-8

DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.20.06292-9

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Rehabilitation management of patients with COVID-19: lessons learned from the first experience in China

Jianan LI ✉

Rehabilitation Medical Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease characterized by lung damage and involvement in multiple tissues and organs in the whole body. Some of the patients may have long-term impairment and dysfunctions, including pulmonary fibrosis, heart, liver, kidney, nerve and immune system. Rehabilitation has certain beneficial effect in the acute stage, and especially in the recovery stage, including improving respiratory function, exercise endurance, self-care in daily living activities, as well as psychological support, etc. Rehabilitation is not offside or absent. A reasonable rehabilitation program needs scientific research to avoid arbitrary conclusions.

KEY WORDS: COVID-19; Rehabilitation; Lung injury