Rehabilitation for cardiac arrhythmia in COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Introduction Exercise-based cardiorespiratory rehabilitation programme is an effective intervention to improve clinical outcomes, exercise capacity and quality of life in individuals living with cardiac and pulmonary conditions. Despite the effectiveness of the programme in cardiac population, no routine prescription of comprehensive rehabilitation is offered to those with AF. This thesis aimed to assess the benefits of the programme in those with HF and co-existing AF and to investigate the views toward delivering the programme for this population. Moreover, evidence suggests that an adapted rehabilitation programme is effective in improving clinical outcomes in those with post COVID-19 syndrome. Thus, we aimed to investigate the potential benefits of the programme in restoring cardiac autonomic functions and cardiac disturbance that might be present in this population. Methods Four main study designs were undertaken to address the thesis aims. 1. Retrospective analysis to investigate the benefits of the programme in HF individuals with AF. 2. Survey study to assess HCP views toward delivering the programme for individuals with AF. 3. Survey and interviews to investigate the need for rehabilitation for individuals with AF. 4. Observational study to assess the benefits of the programme for individual with post COVID-19. Results Rehabilitation programme demonstrated an improvement in clinical outcomes in individuals with HF and co-existing AF. HCPs were enthusiastic about the benefits of the programme for individuals living with AF. Moreover, those living with AF reported their need for this programme to help manage their symptoms. Lastly, an adapted rehabilitation programme demonstrated an improvement in cardiac autonomic function and other clinical measures in those with post COVID-19 syndrome. Conclusion Rehabilitation programme is an effective intervention for those with HF and co-existing AF, while an adapted rehabilitation programme demonstrated an improvement in cardiac functions in those with post COVID-19.