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Sánchez-García JC, Reinoso-Cobo A, Piqueras-Sola B, Cortés-Martín J, Menor-Rodríguez MJ, Alabau-Dasi R, Rodríguez-Blanque R. Long COVID and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review. Diseases 2023; 11:163. [PMID: 37987274 PMCID: PMC10660729 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11040163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged COVID is a persistent condition following the initial COVID-19 infection, which is characterized by a variety of symptoms that may include fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, "brain fog", respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, neurological and dermatological symptoms. Physical therapy has been identified as a crucial aspect of the management of patients with long COVID, as it can help improve symptoms and overall physical function. The investigation of long COVID poses significant challenges due to the diversity and variability of symptoms, lack of clear diagnostic criteria, and limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of studies conducted in patients with long COVID in conjunction with interventions targeting respiratory function, particularly involving physical activity. To this end, we conducted a systematic review to analyze studies conducted on treatment programs for long COVID based on some form of physical activity. The protocol of the review was registered in the PROSPERO website, and the databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and WOS were searched. Of the 62 initial articles, six were included in the review. The results obtained have positive implications for the advancement of physical activity as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with long COVID-19 and the conceptualization of evidence-based treatment protocols. Statistically significant results have been observed in studies of at least 6 weeks duration, in which inspiratory muscle training exercises are proposed. Further research is needed to better understand long COVID and develop effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Sánchez-García
- Research Group CTS-1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 18014 Granada, Spain; (J.C.S.-G.); (B.P.-S.); (R.R.-B.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Andrés Reinoso-Cobo
- Department of Nursing and Podiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, Ampliación de Campus de Teatinos, Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa 3, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (A.R.-C.); (R.A.-D.)
| | - Beatriz Piqueras-Sola
- Research Group CTS-1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 18014 Granada, Spain; (J.C.S.-G.); (B.P.-S.); (R.R.-B.)
- Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Jonathan Cortés-Martín
- Research Group CTS-1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 18014 Granada, Spain; (J.C.S.-G.); (B.P.-S.); (R.R.-B.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - María José Menor-Rodríguez
- Área Sanitaria Santiago de Compostela-Barbanza, Subdirección de Humanización y Atención a la Ciudadanía, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Raquel Alabau-Dasi
- Department of Nursing and Podiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, Ampliación de Campus de Teatinos, Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa 3, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (A.R.-C.); (R.A.-D.)
| | - Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque
- Research Group CTS-1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 18014 Granada, Spain; (J.C.S.-G.); (B.P.-S.); (R.R.-B.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- San Cecilio University Hospital, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Meng QT, Song WQ, Churilov LP, Zhang FM, Wang YF. Psychophysical therapy and underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms for the rehabilitation of long COVID-19. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1120475. [PMID: 37842301 PMCID: PMC10570751 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1120475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
With the global epidemic and prevention of the COVID-19, long COVID-19 sequelae and its comprehensive prevention have attracted widespread attention. Long COVID-19 sequelae refer to that three months after acute COVID-19, the test of SARS-CoV-2 is negative, but some symptoms still exist, such as cough, prolonged dyspnea and fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations and insomnia. Its pathological mechanism is related to direct viral damage, immunopathological response, endocrine and metabolism disorders. Although there are more effective methods for treating COVID-19, the treatment options available for patients with long COVID-19 remain quite limited. Psychophysical therapies, such as exercise, oxygen therapy, photobiomodulation, and meditation, have been attempted as treatment modalities for long COVID-19, which have the potential to promote recovery through immune regulation, antioxidant effects, and neuroendocrine regulation. Neuroendocrine regulation plays a significant role in repairing damage after viral infection, regulating immune homeostasis, and improving metabolic activity in patients with long COVID-19. This review uses oxytocin as an example to examine the neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the psychophysical therapies of long COVID-19 syndrome and proposes a psychophysical strategy for the treatment of long COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Tai Meng
- WU Lien-Teh Institute, Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wu-Qi Song
- WU Lien-Teh Institute, Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Leonid P. Churilov
- Department of Experimental Tuberculosis, St. Petersburg State Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Feng-Min Zhang
- WU Lien-Teh Institute, Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- International Translational Neuroscience Research Institute, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Manna PR, Gray ZC, Sikdar M, Reddy H. COVID-19 and its genomic variants: Molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions. EXCLI JOURNAL 2022; 21:1196-1221. [PMID: 36381644 PMCID: PMC9650701 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by a β-coronavirus and its genomic variants, is associated with substantial morbidities and mortalities globally. The COVID-19 virus and its genomic variants enter host cells upon binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors that are expressed in a variety of tissues, but predominantly in the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. Patients afflicted with COVID-19 may be asymptomatic or present with critical symptoms possibly due to diverse lifestyles, immune responses, aging, and underlying medical conditions. Geriatric populations, especially men in comparison to women, with immunocompromised conditions, are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19 associated infections, complications, and mortalities. Notably, whereas immunomodulation, involving nutritional consumption, is essential to protecting an individual from COVID-19, immunosuppression is detrimental to a person with this aggressive disease. As such, immune health is inversely correlated to COVID-19 severity and resulting consequences. Advances in genomic and proteomic technologies have helped us to understand the molecular events underlying symptomatology, transmission and, pathogenesis of COVID-19 and its genomic variants. Accordingly, there has been development of a variety of therapeutic interventions, ranging from mask wearing to vaccination to medication. This review summarizes the current understanding of molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19, effects of comorbidities on COVID-19, and prospective therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of this contagious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulak R. Manna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Pulak R. Manna, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Tel: +1-806-743-3573, Fax: +1-806-743-3143, E-mail:
| | - Zackery C. Gray
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Malabika Sikdar
- Department of Zoology, Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, MP 470003, India
| | - Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,Neurology, Departments of School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,Public Health Department of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, School Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA,Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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