Italian medic backs exercise solutions to treat long-term effects of coronavirus

An expert in cardiovascular rehabilitation is in Dubai to share his expertise and insights in treating the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Dr Piero Clavario, Director and Chief Physician at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Genoa, Italy, presents his research and experience of using HUR computerized exercise solutions to treat long-COVID patients at an industry seminar titled ‘Long Covid Rehabilitation’ on 25th January at The H Dubai.

Practising in one of the first and most badly affected European regions to be hit by the outbreak, Dr Clavario has been on the frontline of tackling the disease, both in the treatment and rehabilitation phases. Throughout the pandemic, Dr Clavario and his team have cared for several hundred COVID-survivors who have been discharged from hospitals in the region.

Dr Clavario said: “These patients included those both intubated in ICU and those who spent shorter times in hospitals. We investigated aspects that escape standard virological and pulmonary examinations. Half of those treated had psychological problems, including 30% that had PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

“Each patient was evaluated using multiple tests by a team of doctors, cardiologists, neurologists, psychologists and physicians. What surprised me was that even the patients that had not spent any time in the ICU were extremely feeble. There was no evidence of a cardiological or pulmonary problem, but they could not even walk up a flight of stairs, with most showing severe muscle weakness. The positive thing was that, after a period of exercise in our gym with HUR equipment, most of them recovered.”

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, HUR, a specialized computerized exercise solutions provider, has been at the forefront of efforts to help rehabilitate COVID patients worldwide, closely collaborating with the medical research community in the field. In the Middle East, leading medical facilities, such as the Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital group, have used HUR with excellent results.

HUR’s Vice President and Director for the EMEA region, Timo Toivonen, will  be in attendance at the seminar to speak about designing COVID-proof medical fitness centres and to launch HUR’s latest line of equipment.

Mr  Toivonen said:  “HUR’s new line of equipment minimizes the number of touchpoints, using a bracelet which works as an ID to retrieve an individual’s settings and training program. In addition, all materials used in the production, from upholstery to surface coatings, are made with antibacterial and antiviral properties. This enhances the hygiene of medical rehab centres, providing their patients with as safe an environment as possible. Programs developed by medical providers can be automatically programmed and implemented through this equipment.”

As the epidemic continues to spread, an increasing number of people are experiencing the severe and prolonged decline in cardio-respiratory function associated with long-COVID. In addition to the disease itself, this decline in physical well-being opens up susceptibility to other conditions, which will inevitably pose a challenge for healthcare systems in the long term. Hospitals in Europe are already opening COVID rehab centres to address this issue, and governments are allocating resources to cope with this emerging health crisis.