INTRODUCTION: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well-established, but data on the relative efficacy of PR in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and prolonged symptoms from coronavirus disease-2019 (Long COVID) remain limited. With the increasing prevalence of Long COVID, understanding the role of PR in this group is essential.
METHODS: Records of patients enrolled in PR between September 1, 2020, to November 30, 2022, at an academic health system were analyzed. Patients were categorized into COPD, ILD, and Long COVID groups based on primary referral diagnosis. Outcome measures included 6-minute walk test distance, COPD Assessment Tool, Modified Medical Research Council Questionnaire, and psychosocial assessments. Mixed-linear modeling for repeated measures compared pre- and post-PR outcomes within and across groups by referral diagnosis while adjusting for baseline covariates.
RESULTS: Of the 316 patients enrolled in PR, 192 completed PR. Demographics were similar across groups, though patients with Long COVID were younger, more likely to be Hispanic, and have higher body mass index than patients referred for COPD. Significant improvements were observed in functional capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress in all 3 groups following PR without significant between-group differences in PR outcomes.
DISCUSSION: This single-center analysis suggests that PR was associated with significantly improved physical and psychosocial well-being in patients with COPD, ILD, and Long COVID with comparable outcomes across all groups. Future randomized-controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefits of PR for patients with Long COVID.
Long Covid