Comparison of Postural Stability, Motor Function, Respiratory Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome During Severe Respiratory and Inflammatory Phases

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Sports Injury and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Purpose:
With the rising incidence of COVID-19 cases in Iran and globally, coupled with the persistence of symptoms for extended periods post-infection, this condition poses a potential global medical crisis. Consequently, it is imperative to investigate the persistent and long-term symptoms in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. This study aimed to compare postural stability, motor function, respiratory function, and quality of life in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome during severe respiratory and inflammatory phases.
Methods:
In this comparative study, 41 women were purposefully selected, comprising 13 patients in the severe respiratory phase, 14 patients in the severe inflammatory phase, and 14 healthy individuals. Postural stability was assessed using a Biodex device, motor function through the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, respiratory function via spirometry (Forced Vital Capacity [FVC], Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second [FEV1] and FEV1/FVC ratio), and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistical comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffé post-hoc tests.
Results:
Significant differences were observed among the three groups in overall postural stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral stability (P < 0.05). Motor function, as measured by the TUG test, also demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.05). FVC values were 2.81 ± 0.28 L (severe respiratory phase), 1.12 ± 0.34 L (severe inflammatory phase), and 3.39 ± 0.29 L (healthy individuals); FEV1 values were 2.80 ± 0.28 L (respiratory phase), 1.11 ± 0.34 L (inflammatory phase), and 3.31 ± 0.30 L (healthy group), with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the quality of life in patients with severe inflammatory-phase COVID-19 was lower than in the other two groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The findings indicate that, weeks after the initial infection, patients in the severe inflammatory phase exhibited greater impairments in postural stability, motor function, and respiratory function compared to other COVID-19 patients. These patients also reported a lower quality of life than those with less severe infections.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation
Volume 14, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 41-55

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