Baraiya, Bhumi Mukeshkumar (2025) The Impact of Physiotherapy on Cardiopulmonary Function in Post Covid-19 Patients. Masters thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
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Abstract
Background: A significant percentage of COVID-19 survivors have left behind chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction, which manifests as fatigue, dyspnoea, decreased exercise tolerance, and decreased lung capacity. A key non-invasive rehabilitation technique in the absence of many pharmaceutical alternatives is physical therapy. In this dissertation, the evidence about the efficacy of physical therapy therapies in improving quality of life and cardiopulmonary function in patients recovering from COVID-19 is comprehensively reviewed. Methods: PRISMA criteria were followed in conducting a systematic literature review across databases such as PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Using the PICO methodology, studies released between December 2019 and December 2024 were vetted. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute's techniques, ten appropriate peer-reviewed quantitative research (RCTs and cohort designs) were evaluated critically. Inspiratory muscle training, telerehabilitation, aerobic and resistance training, pulmonary rehabilitation, and cutting-edge techniques like spinal neuromodulation were among the interventions that were investigated. The primary objectives included quality-of-life measurements (SF-36, EQ-5D), exercise capacity (6MWT, VO₂ peak), and lung function (FEV₁, FVC, DLCO, MIP). Results: Post-COVID-19 patients' quality of life, activity tolerance, and respiratory function were all consistently enhanced by physiotherapy therapies. The most successful programs were multimodal ones, however home-based models and telerehabilitation provided workable substitutes. Although they need more study, novel techniques including neuromodulation showed promise. Conclusion: An intervention that is safe, efficient, and scalable for improving cardiac recovery following COVID-19 is physiotherapy. Public health and long-term pandemic recovery measures are significantly impacted by the reduction of symptom burden and the restoration of functional independence. To support the evidence and guide policy, future studies should give special attention to large-scale RCTs, standardized outcome measures, long-term follow-up, cost-effectiveness analyses, and the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | COVID-19, physiotherapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise tolerance, respiratory function, cardiopulmonary recovery, telerehabilitation, quality of life. |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology |
| Divisions: | Theses and Dissertations > Masters Dissertations |
| Depositing User: | Victoria Hankinson |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Dec 2025 15:30 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Dec 2025 15:30 |
| URI: | https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/4033 |
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