Development and clinical evaluation of a rehabilitation protocol after COVID-19 with integration of technology and software.

Purpose of the project Patients after COVID-19 infection sometimes face serious physical limitations. This requires rapid and intensive rehabilitation. At the moment, rehabilitation is not yet sufficient to support this recovery. This project focused on developing an effective and useful rehabilitation program for these patients. What did the program entail? The program consisted of exercises on a treadmill, training endurance and balance while walking. The use of game elements and so-called 'virtual reality' ensured that attention and concentration were also practiced. Muscle strength was trained on fitness equipment. All equipment and exercises were linked to an electronic patient file with the help of special software. This allowed the patient and therapist to closely monitor the progress of the therapy. The most important results Patients and therapists found it a valuable and useful program. After the program, patients suffered fewer limitations and were fitter. They also suffered less from fatigue and shortness of breath during and after exercise. Particular attention to so-called 'cognitive' tasks, such as concentration during exercise, proved to be very valuable.