Comparison of exercise capacity, activity self-efficacy, cognitive function and fatigue levels in patients with COVID-19 infection followed in hospital and at home in the post-COVID period with non-infected individuals

The Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease may result in different levels from mild to severe such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure or asymptomatic. Some patients may also be symptomatic in the post-COVID period. The aim of this study was compare patients who had COVID-19 infection in the hospital and at home with non-infected individuals in terms of exercise capacity, activity-self efficacy, cognitive function and fatigue in the post-COVID period. A total of 45 individuals with COVID-19 (20 individuals in hospital and 25 individuals at home) and 23 non-infected individuals were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the individuals were recorded. While the individuals were similar in terms of gender, the mean in terms of age of those who spent in the hospital were higher (p<0.05). Exercise capacity by using 6 Minute Step Test (6MST), activity-self efficacy by using Occupational Self-Assesment (OSA), cognitive function by using The Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), fatigue by using Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), activities of daily living (ADL) by using The London Chest ADL Scale (LCADL), physical activity by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were assessed. Group those who spent in the hospital had a higher resting heart rate (p<0.05). When individuals who spend in the hospital and at home are grouped as who have had COVID-19 had lower post exercise oxygen saturation, higher perception of post exercise muscle fatigue and higher both resting and post exercise fatigue and dspnea perception (p<0.05). Activity-self efficacy, cognitive function and physical activity levels were similar (p>0.05). When individuals who spend in the hospital and at home are grouped as who have had COVID-19 had according to BFI fatigue, the effect of fatigue on general activity and according to LCADL dyspnea perception during physical activity were found to be high (p<0.05). In conclusion; patients with COVID-19 may experience prolonged fatigue, their ADL levels may be affected in the post-COVID period. While resting cardiorespiratory parameters may be affected, dyspnea, fatigue and muscle fatigue perception may be higher after the exercise. When planning the rehabilitation program in the post-COVID period, symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea should be considered, regardless of whether they are at home or in the hospital.