Abstract

Currently, knowledge of the effects of different frequencies of administration of bedside physiotherapy programs (PTPs) on hospitalized COVID-19 patients is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of administering PTPs once or twice during hospitalization versus daily PTPs until discharge. Fifty-two COVID-19 patients were equally assigned to two groups, matched by gender and age (1:1 ratio). Experimental Group 1 (Ex-G1) received PTPs one to two times during hospitalization, while Experimental Group 2 (Ex-G2) received daily PTPs until discharge. The outcomes assessed included the survival rate, length of hospitalization (LoH), intensive care unit (ICU) referrals, and in-hospital complications. Most participants were classified as having mild to moderate COVID-19, with a mean age of 45 years. No significant differences were observed between the groups in all primary outcomes, including the survival rate (p = 1.000), LoH (p = 0.117), ICU referrals (p = 0.313), and complications (p = 0.555). The overall survival rate was 98%. One Ex-G2 participant was referred to the ICU, while complications occurred in two Ex-G1 and four Ex-G2 participants. In summary, for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, one to two bedside physiotherapy sessions produced comparable results to daily physiotherapy in terms of the survival rate, LoH, ICU referrals, and in-hospital complications.