Rabia Rauf, Tahir Mahmood, Waqar Afzal.
Role of Exercise and Positioning in Acute Respiratory Complications in COVID-19 a Review.
J Islamic Int Med Coll Jan ;16(1):42-7.

Viral infections are major cause of respiratory diseases. The number of cases of viral infections are higher in older adults and children. The symptoms associated with viral infections are fever, coughing, sneezing, runny and stuffy nose with body aches. There is no specific unified antiviral treatment suggested for COVID-19, and no vaccine is presently available. The treatment is symptomatic, and oxygen therapy signifies the major treatment intervention for patients with severe respiratory issues due to viral infection. The prevalence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19 is 8.2 %. Commonly used supportive interventions are Range of Motion exercises, progressive mobilization, strengthening exercises and Passive exercise to build up balance and coordination for the better body functioning and decrease respiratory complications. The patient management algorithm is divided into three categories according to the severity for suspected cases and confirmed patients in acute care setting. The physiotherapy intervention`s goals during respiratory complications is to reduce the risk associated with prolonged recumbent position and to facilitate oxygenation. Prone positioning can reduce the mortality rate in ARDS and also increases the PaO FiO. 2/ 2 Mobilization should be done, as cough is an aerosol generating procedure and lead to the mucus secretions and expectoration which can be secreted out using Mobilization methods . These methods improves cardiopulmonary endurance and oxygen saturation among patients having respiratory distress due to viral infections. Further, exercise program increases the resistance to upper respiratory tract infections. Before application of such methods the staff members should be properly equipped with personal protective strategies for all the suspected or confirmed cases and the droplet precautions must be executed.

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