Introduction

: The effectiveness of physical rehabi litation therapies on patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation and were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with post-COVID-19 neuro muscular weakness is known in the acute period. The objective of this study was to characterize the functional recovery in people hospitalized with post-ICU neuro muscular weakness due to COVID-19 admitted to rehab.

Methods

: Retrospective study which included 42 patients with post-COVID-19 neuromuscular weakness, who were admitted to two tertiary care rehabilitation centers, from April 2020 to April 2022.

Results

: We found statistically significant differen ces between the functional evaluations of admission and discharge. The Functional Independence Measure improved from 49 [41-57] a 107 [94-119] (p < 0.001). The Berg scale from 4 [1-6] a 47 [36-54] (p < 0.001), the 6-mi nute test from 0 [0-0] a 254 [167-400] (p < 0.001), and 421

the 10-meter test from 0 [0-0] a 0.83 [0.4-1.2] (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences bet ween the admission and discharge total score of the functional assessments with age and respiratory com plexity.

Discussion

: Treatment for functional recovery in a tertiary and long-term center is beneficial for people with severe post-ICU neuromuscular weakness due to COVID-19, even though 43% did not reach the previous level of mobility. Age and respiratory complexity are variables that did not impact the final recovery.