People living with long COVID could benefit from more personalised rehabilitation thanks to new evidence-based guidance co-authored by Leicester researcher Enya Daynes.
Published in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, the international masterclass brings together the latest evidence on how physiotherapists can safely assess and manage people experiencing long COVID. The paper aims to support healthcare professionals in delivering individualised, patient-centred care for a condition that can affect many aspects of daily life.
Long COVID is a complex condition that can continue for months or even years after an initial COVID-19 infection. Symptoms vary between individuals and may include fatigue, breathlessness, cognitive difficulties, dizziness and exercise intolerance. Many people also experience post-exertional malaise, where symptoms worsen after physical, mental or emotional activity, making rehabilitation particularly challenging.
Dr Enya Daynes, Consultant Physiotherapist in the NIHR BRC Leicester Respiratory theme, contributed to the publication alongside researchers from Australia and Canada. The guidance builds on growing international evidence aimed at improving rehabilitation and quality of life for people living with long COVID.
Dr Enya Daynes shared: “Rather than recommending a single treatment approach, the paper highlights the importance of carrying out a thorough assessment before rehabilitation begins. It encourages clinicians to identify symptoms, screen for potential red flags and tailor treatment to each person’s needs, recognising that long COVID presents differently from one individual to another.”
The guidance outlines a range of evidence-based physiotherapy approaches that may be appropriate depending on a patient’s symptoms. These include:
- pacing and energy conservation techniques to help manage fatigue
- pulmonary rehabilitation for suitable patients
- inspiratory muscle training to improve breathing
- breathing retraining for people with dysfunctional breathing patterns
- personalised support to help people return to work safely.
The authors also emphasise the importance of multidisciplinary care, recognising that people living with long COVID may benefit from support from physiotherapists working alongside occupational therapists, psychologists, dietitians and other healthcare professionals. These recommendations are made based on synthesised available literature at the time of publication. Notably, the largest physiotherapy- led long COVID rehabilitation trial that supports these recommendations was conducted in Leicester.
Dr Enya Daynes added: “Physiotherapists are well placed to provide individualised, evidence-based care that validates patients’ experiences while supporting recovery through carefully tailored rehabilitation. The need for continued research to better understand long COVID and develop even more effective approaches to treatment.
“I am pleased to contribute to this important publication that outlines treatments opportunities for people with long COVID.”
“Leicester has been at the forefront of COVID research and pioneered the development of rehabilitation strategies for this population drawing on our collective extensive experience of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Our landmark publications allowed for meaningful contribution to this publication with the view to support more patients recover from long term symptoms of COVID-19″.