Long term effect of covid 19 on physical and functional abilities among covid-19 survivors رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

According to the evidence, COVID-19 may continue to significantly harm the patient results for more than 12 weeks afar the severe infection stage. It is yet unclear how COVID-19 will affect patient outcomes in the long run. The aim of this study was to look at how COVID-19 survivors' physical and functional capacities have changed over time. The mixed approach is used in this study; quantitative research method will be followed as the researcher uses a questionnaire which will be filled by the researchers, and the cross- sectional approach is also used as the researcher uses two tests which will be applied with the sample individuals. The study included (150) Corona patients registered in Corona statistics in Palestine aged between 20-45 Yrs. old , who have been infected for at least 6 months or more. Three tests were used including Y Balance Test Lower Quarter, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, and 3 Step Test. The results showed that the long-term effects on patients previously infected with COVID-19 affected their physical and functional abilities. Significant differences were found on functional abilities among COVID-19 survivors due to age for the benefit of the younger individuals. Significant differences were found in the long term effect of COVID 19 on physical abilities among COVID-19 Survivors due to gender for the benefit of the males. And significant differences were found on functional abilities due to weight for the benefit of the light weight individuals. The results call for additional research to help identify individuals who may benefit from close monitoring and focused rehabilitation and who are at higher risk of long-term VI consequences, and to determine the degree of post-COVID-19 effects that last longer than six months, as well as to elucidate their origins and practical solutions for management. The study recommended that rehabilitation programs could be incorporated in the framework of treatment following Covid19 infection in order to minimize its effect on physical and functional status, the outcome measures used in this study are reliable to be used by researchers and by physiotherapists to measure the long-term impact of COVID 19 on survivors' physical and functional abilities, and early and appropriate diagnosis and care are necessary for recovered older persons following COVID-19.