Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Introduction: COVID-19 can affect different body systems. Some people may experience symptoms that persist over time. These post-COVID conditions can reduce the functional capacity of these individuals. Recognizing the dysfunctions related to post-COVID conditions help to better understand the implications of the disease. Objective: To systematize scientific literature on the functionality profile of COVID-19 survivors. Methods: We performed a systematic review. The articles were searched in the Medline databases, with adaptations for other databases such as Scopus, PeDro, and Lilacs. The studies were independently selected by two evaluators, who also assessed their methodological quality using the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) instrument. Results and discussion: A total of 266 articles were identified, and 18 were included in the review. Female sex and severity of symptoms during the acute phase were the main variables related to worse post-COVID functionality. A personalized exercise program can improve functional capacity. Conclusion: Despite the different instruments found to assess functionality, the results of this systematic review indicate impairments in the functionality of post-COVID patients. Several factors are related to this reduction in functionality. It is important to understand these conditions so that the entire health system, from the primary care to more specialized levels of care, is prepared to meet the needs of this population.
Source: Conexões
Institution: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso
Language: Portuguese
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214889603