“The complexity of what to do”–clinical perspectives of tailored physiotherapy interventions in patients with respiratory symptoms in post-COVID condition

Fagevik Olsén, M; Lannefors, L; Johansson, EL; Sinderholm Sposato, N; Nygren-Bonnier, M; Danielsbacka, J

“The complexity of what to do”–clinical perspectives of tailored physiotherapy interventions in patients with respiratory symptoms in post-COVID condition

Fagevik Olsén, M Lannefors, L Johansson, EL Sinderholm Sposato, N Nygren-Bonnier, M Danielsbacka, J

Permalink

Publisher:: Taylor and Francis Group
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: European Journal of Physiotherapy, 2025, pp. 1-7
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (1.17 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fagevik Olsén, M
dc.contributor.author	Lannefors, L
dc.contributor.author	Johansson, EL
dc.contributor.author	Sinderholm Sposato, N
dc.contributor.author	Nygren-Bonnier, M
dc.contributor.author	Danielsbacka, J
dc.date.accessioned	2025-08-06T03:45:10Z
dc.date.available	2025-08-06T03:45:10Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	European Journal of Physiotherapy, 2025, pp. 1-7
dc.identifier.issn	2167-9169
dc.identifier.issn	2167-9177
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189098
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: Knowledge gaps exist regarding the effects of interventions due to continuing respiratory symptoms in patients with post-COVID condition. The aim of the present study was to present the clinical outcomes of individualised treatments for patients with remaining respiratory symptoms due to post-COVID condition. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included a consecutive series of 57 patients with remaining respiratory post-COVID symptoms. Breathing pattern, thoracic pain/mobility, occurrence of cough, and respiratory muscle strength were assessed before and after the administration of individually tailored physiotherapy interventions. Results: The median treatment duration was 3 months (range 1–36 months). Dysfunctional breathing pattern was the most common symptom (n = 55/57) at inclusion. After treatment, 95% of patients had a normalised or improved breathing pattern (p < 0.001). The treatments for pain, productive and unproductive cough, and respiratory muscle strength resulted in significantly improved symptoms (p < 0.01). With other targeted treatments, inspiratory muscle strength improved by 20 cmH2O and expiratory muscle strength by 11 cmH2O (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study indicates positive outcomes of physiotherapy treatment based on the patient’s symptomatology and test results. Therefore, individualised physiotherapy treatment of post-COVID conditions may have an impact on recovery.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Taylor and Francis Group
dc.relation.ispartof	European Journal of Physiotherapy
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/21679169.2024.2419051
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
dc.subject.classification	4207 Sports science and exercise
dc.title	“The complexity of what to do”–clinical perspectives of tailored physiotherapy interventions in patients with respiratory symptoms in post-COVID condition
dc.type	Journal Article
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-08-06T03:45:09Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Purpose: Knowledge gaps exist regarding the effects of interventions due to continuing respiratory symptoms in patients with post-COVID condition. The aim of the present study was to present the clinical outcomes of individualised treatments for patients with remaining respiratory symptoms due to post-COVID condition. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included a consecutive series of 57 patients with remaining respiratory post-COVID symptoms. Breathing pattern, thoracic pain/mobility, occurrence of cough, and respiratory muscle strength were assessed before and after the administration of individually tailored physiotherapy interventions. Results: The median treatment duration was 3 months (range 1–36 months). Dysfunctional breathing pattern was the most common symptom (n = 55/57) at inclusion. After treatment, 95% of patients had a normalised or improved breathing pattern (p < 0.001). The treatments for pain, productive and unproductive cough, and respiratory muscle strength resulted in significantly improved symptoms (p < 0.01). With other targeted treatments, inspiratory muscle strength improved by 20 cmH2O and expiratory muscle strength by 11 cmH2O (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study indicates positive outcomes of physiotherapy treatment based on the patient’s symptomatology and test results. Therefore, individualised physiotherapy treatment of post-COVID conditions may have an impact on recovery.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189098