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S.P. Adhikari1, R. Dev2, M. Sandborgh3
1Kathmandu University, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal, 2San Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University Global Health Institute, School of Public Health, Guanghou, China, 3Malardalen University, Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Västerås, Sweden
Background: The evidence and effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in treatment of patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Routinely used interventions in physiotherapy imply a very high risk for physiotherapists because the duration of direct contact with patients is quite long. Physiotherapy may need to be administered by weighing the benefit-risk ratio. Therefore, there is a critical and urgent need to adopt alternatives during COVID-19 treatment.
Purpose: To identify and outline alternatives or modified forms of physiotherapy interventions for achieving maximum patients’ benefits and minimizing therapists’ exposure in COVID-19.
Methods: A commentary based on review of published literature and work experience.
Results: As the situation for management of COVID-19 in low-resource contexts could differ from that in high resource context, interventions need to be adapted to the available resources and technology in various settings. Tele-physiotherapy could be a viable option for patients who are in acute care in the hospital, in rehabilitation unit or under quarantine at home due to confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Modification in physiotherapy interventions and adjustment in intervention parameters may serve as an alternative strategy. This article describes alternatives to and/or modification of routinely used physiotherapy interventions for achieving maximum patients’ benefits and minimizing therapists’ exposure in treatment of individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Conclusion(s): Tele-physiotherapy and modification in intervention parameters may be the options for achieving maximum patients’ benefits and minimizing therapists’ exposure in treatment of individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. Large scaled-studies are warranted to establish the recommendations.
Implications: The individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 may benefit from Physiotherapy treatment. However, Physiotherapy may need to be administered when patients’ benefits outweighs risk with the use of personal protective equipment.
Funding, acknowledgements: There was no funding support for the conduct of this study.
Keywords: COVID-19, Risks and benefits, Tele-physiotherapy
Topic: COVID-19
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: N/A
Committee: N/A
Reason: It is a commentary; hence, no ethical approval required.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
