University of São Paulo: World guidelines for post-covid physiotherapy have been translated by USP researchers

Fatigue, shortness of breath and reduced functional activity are some persistent symptoms of covid-19 or a consequence of a long period hospitalized for the disease. The treatment requires the care of a multidisciplinary team, which must include physical therapists.

To guide the care of these patients, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) brought together experts to draw up guidelines on the physical therapy treatment of adults who had covid-19 and invited professionals from around the world to translate into several languages. In Brazil, the Portuguese translation was coordinated by Professor Ada Clarice Gastaldi and PhD student Alessandra Fabiane Lago, both from the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP) at USP. With the title Physiotherapeutic management for covid-19 in the acute and late hospital environment: an update of clinical practice recommendations , the guidelines are available at this link .

“The WCPT is the largest body of the profession in the world, which since the beginning of the pandemic has worked to disseminate reliable information of interest to the clinical practice of physical therapists. The concern with versions for different languages ​​is part of its commitment to professionals, with easier and faster access to information”, says the professor.

The updated document, published in December 2021 in the Journal of Physiotherapy , has information on the planning and preparation of the physiotherapy workforce; carrying out respiratory physiotherapy and rehabilitation interventions; and requirements for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).