Physical functioning and perceived health status after surviving the first COVID-19 wave. A long-term observational perspective

Abstract After the COVID-19 infection, individuals can experience impairment, activity limitation and participation restriction. Little information is available on range and frequency of individual problems arising after COVID-19 and its sequelae and long-term outcomes. In June and July 2020, nineteen individuals previously hospitalized with COVID-19 were referred to our outpatient physiotherapy unit. We monitored their level of independence in activities of daily living, mobility, and perceived health status for 7.4–9.5 months (median, 8.6) after healing. At baseline, our cohort showed substantial independence in activities of daily living, some mobility limitations, and below average perceived health status. Measures improved over time. Limitations of physical functioning were mostly moderate to slight and tending to improve; if present, severe limitations were probably related to pre- COVID-19 conditions. However, individuals in some cases may not have fully recovered their premorbid functioning seven to nine months after healing.