The role of rehabilitation in acute and chronic period of COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic have enormous impact on healthcare systems around the world. The majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild, with a severe course in 15-20% of patients. In severe cases, treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) is required for severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. A number of physical, cognitive and mental disorders defined as "Post-Intensive Care Syndrome" are seen in ICU survivors and determine the long-term prognosis of patients. COVID-19 affects other organ systems besides its well-known pulmonary involvement. ICU associated complications, pulmonary and extrapulmonary involvement of the disease will cause a growing proportion of patients with COVID-19 infection related sequelae and disability. Therefore, the implementation of effective rehabilitation programs for COVID-19 survivors has come to the fore. Considering the pulmonary, neurological, musculoskeletal and ICU related complications, rehabilitation professionals can play an important role in the recovery process of individuals with COVID-19 disease. In this review, intensive care associated complications of COVID-19 infection, pulmonary and extrapulmonary involvements will be discussed and treatment with available early evidence and general rehabilitation approaches will be mentioned.