S43 

Effects of a Structured Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in COVID-19 Pneumonia Patients 

Izwan Zuhrin1, Nurulhuda2, Doreen Shamala2, Saari Mohd Yatim2 

 
Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome and psychological function among post-COVID-19 

patients who joined a structured outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) program. 

Methods. This is a retrospective study conducted at the Rehabilitation Department, Hospital Serdang 

from January until August 2021. Individuals with a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection category 3, 4 and 

5 underwent 4 weeks of PR program as outpatients. Outcome measures include 6 Minute Walk Test 

(6MWT), Duke Activity Status Index (DASI), and Grip Strength (GS) of the dominant hand. Data from 

pre- and post-program were analysed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. Depression, Anxiety, Stress 

Scale (DASS-21 item) pre- and post-program were analysed using the likelihood ratio test. 

Results. A total of 20 patients completed the program, with the majority of them had COVID-19 

category 5 (47.6%), being male (66.7%) and with a median age of 47 ± 11.9. There was a significant 

difference in 6MWT, DASI (both p < 0.001) and GS of the dominant hand (p < 0.05). Mean difference 

of the 6MWT pre- and post-program was 73 meters. There was an improvement in the severity level of 

DASS-21 items. 

Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the PR program is beneficial to improve functional outcomes 

for COVID-19 survivors.  With regards to the psychological assessment, there was an improvement in 

the level of depression, anxiety and stress severity. 

 

Keywords: COVID-19, outpatients; activities of daily living; community participation 

 

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1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Putra 

Malaysia. 

2Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Serdang, Malaysia. 

 

Correspondence to:  

Dr Izwan Zuhrin Bin Abdul Malek, Medical Lecturer, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty 

of Medicine & Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia. Email:ewan_1999@upm.edu.my  

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v6i0.433

mailto:ewan_1999@upm.edu.my