A health and lifestyle framework for management of post COVID-19 syndrome based on evidence-informed management of post-polio syndrome: a narrative review
Creators: name: Dean, Elizabeth
name: Olsén, Monika Fagevik
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: 19999 Mathematical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: Cancer

description: Lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors are unequivocally associated with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity. NCD manifestations and their lifestyle risks are associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (CLGSI). This review supports that immuno-modulation with positive lifestyle change aimed at reducing SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 severity is a goal consistent with contemporary physiotherapy practice. Physiotherapists have a long tradition of managing acute inflammation, thus, managing CLGSI is a logical extension. Improving patients’ lifestyle practices also reduces their NCD risks and increases activity/exercise capacity, health and wellbeing – all principal goals of contemporary physiotherapy. The COVID-19 pandemic lends further support for prioritising health and lifestyle competencies including smoking cessation; whole food plant-based nutrition; healthy weight; healthy sleep practices; and stress management; in conjunction with reducing sedentariness and increasing physical activity/exercise, to augment immunity as well as function and overall health and wellbeing. To support patients’ lifestyle change efforts, physiotherapists may refer patients to other health professionals. We conclude that immuno-modulation with lifestyle behaviour change to reduce susceptibility to viruses including SARS-CoV-2, is consistent with contemporary physiotherapy practice. Immuno-modulation needs to be reflected in health competencies taught in physiotherapy professional education curricula and taught at standards comparable to other established interventions.KEY MESSAGESNCDs and their lifestyle risks are highly associated with COVID-19 susceptibility/poor outcomes, as well as contributing to physical impairmentNCDs and their lifestyle risk factors are highly modifiable with behaviour change, if not, reversible, over relatively short timeframesAs an effective evidence-based intervention, health behaviour change is highly consistent with physiotherapy practice, which is largely conservativePhysiotherapists can lead in re-doubling efforts towards eradicating NCDs, thereby mitigating pandemic waves while maximising function NCDs and their lifestyle risks are highly associated with COVID-19 susceptibility/poor outcomes, as well as contributing to physical impairment NCDs and their lifestyle risk factors are highly modifiable with behaviour change, if not, reversible, over relatively short timeframes As an effective evidence-based intervention, health behaviour change is highly consistent with physiotherapy practice, which is largely conservative Physiotherapists can lead in re-doubling efforts towards eradicating NCDs, thereby mitigating pandemic waves while maximising function