The Impact of COVID-19 on Functional Capacity and Pulmonary Outcomes in the Hail Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

Omar W Althomali; Daria Hussain Shaik; Raheela Kanwal; Junaid Amin; Tolgahan Acar; Ahmed Abdelmoniem Ibrahim; Hisham M Hussein; Aisha Ansari; Ayman A Alhammad; Mohammad Shahid Ali; Ahmed Alqunun; Wael Alghamdi

doi:10.3390/jcm13185571

The Impact of COVID-19 on Functional Capacity and Pulmonary Outcomes in the Hail Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

J Clin Med. 2024 Sep 20;13(18):5571. doi: 10.3390/jcm13185571.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Sciences, University of Hai'l, Hail P.O. Box 2240, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Cairo University Hospitals, Giza P.O. Box 12613, Egypt.
³ Department of Basic Sciences for Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza P.O. Box 12613, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawarah P.O. Box 344, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Akaz Physiotherapy Center, Hail P.O. Box 55436, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Faculty of Nursing, Nursing Community Health Department, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha P.O. Box 1988, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant impact on life worldwide since its emergence in late 2019. The virus has caused a global pandemic, leading to widespread health, social, economic, and psychological effects. COVID-19 mainly affects the respiratory system. This study aimed to compare the functional capacity and pulmonary function outcomes between COVID-19 patients and individuals who have not been infected in the Hail region. Methods: Individuals of both genders above 18 years old who had been infected with COVID-19 in the previous 6 months or had never been infected were eligible to participate. Local hospitals and social media apps were used to recruit willing participants. Heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulmonary function test, hand grip strength, and functional tests (6 min walk test, 30 s sit-to-stand test, and timed up and go test) were measured and compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25. Results: Forty individuals affected with COVID-19 and forty-one healthy individuals were recruited. Our results showed that in individuals affected with COVID-19, scores on the minute ventilation, 30 s sit-to-stand, and 6 min walk tests were significantly lower than among healthy individuals. Other outcomes did not show any statistical differences between the groups. Conclusion: This study contributes to a greater understanding of the functional capacity status of individuals with COVID-19. Patients affected by COVID-19 may develop an impaired lung capacity and a decreased function capacity. These factors may negatively affect physical and cognitive health status. Future studies should evaluate the benefits of interventions with rehabilitation exercises following COVID-19. In light of the functional capacity and pulmonary function decline in individuals affected by COVID-19, interventions encompassing pulmonary and functional rehabilitation exercises are recommended to improve physical fitness and pulmonary function post-COVID-19.

Keywords: 30 s sit-to-stand test; 6 min walk test; COVID-19; pulmonary function test; timed up and go test.

Grants and funding

RG-21 058./This research has been funded by the Scientific Research Deanship at the University of Ha'il - Saudi Arabia through project number RG-21 058.