Effect of Yoga-based Exercises of Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic: Prospective Clinical Trial

Twenty-six healthcare professionals who were diagnosed with COVID-19, whose treatments were completed, and who were actively working during the subacute period with ongoing complaints were included in the study. The exercises program consisting of stretching, relaxation, isometric strengthening, breathing, and meditation exercises were given to the healthcare professionals under a 60-minute yoga-based exercises program held twice a week for a period of eight weeks. Flexibility and muscle strength measurements of the patients were calculated by the sit and reach test, shoulder flexibility test, and a hand dynamometer. Functional capacity was evaluated with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), physical activity and dyspnea severity with the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, depression and anxiety level with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory, the quality of life with the SF-36, and sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Inclusion criteria

prospective clinical trial patients who were COVID-19 PCR (+) and/or diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia by computed tomography, completed their medical treatment, had ongoing fatigue, dyspnea, decreased stamina, difficulty in activities of daily living, anxiety, and depression complaints, had an event duration of 2 to 6 months, were actively working (between 25-60 years of age), and had a stable general condition and cognitive ability were included in our study.

Exclusion criteria

Patients who were hemodynamically unstable, whose cardiac and pulmonary system stability could not be maintained, who had rheumatic, neurological, and psychological disorders, and those who could not continue the program due to working conditions were determined as exclusion criteria.