Italian suggestions for pulmonary rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients recovering from acute respiratory failure: results of a Delphi process

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2020 Jun 23;90(2). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2020.1444.

Abstract

There is a need of consensus about the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with COVID-19 after discharge from acute care. To facilitate the knowledge of the evidence and its translation into practice, we developed suggestions based on experts' opinion. A steering committee identified areas and questions sent to experts. Other international experts participated to a RAND Delphi method in reaching consensus and proposing further suggestions. Strong agreement in suggestions was defined when the mean agreement was >7 (1 = no agreement and 9 = maximal agreement). Panelists response rate was >95%. Twenty-three questions from 4 areas: Personnel protection equipment, phenotypes, assessments, interventions, were identified and experts answered with 121 suggestions, 119 of which received high level of concordance. The evidence-based suggestions provide the clinicians with current evidence and clinical experts opinion. This framework can be used to facilitate clinical decision making within the context of the individual patient. Further studies will evaluate the clinical usefulness of these suggestions.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications
  • Coronavirus Infections / physiopathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / rehabilitation*
  • Delphi Technique
  • Exercise Test
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Italy
  • Nutritional Status
  • Pandemics
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral / physiopathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / rehabilitation*
  • Quality of Life
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / rehabilitation*
  • Respiratory Therapy / methods*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic