Personal story: Rehabilitation of a COVID-19 patient after 17 days of intensive care in Greece

Having contracted COVID-19, John Tsichlakis was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Sotiria Thoracic Diseases Hospital in Athens, Greece. With the help of his physiotherapists Alex Kokolios and Dimitris Konto and an intensive rehabilitation programme, John regained enough function to eventually return home to continue his recovery.

Early rehabilitation: key for patient recovery

In severe cases, COVID-19 leaves sufferers weak and dependent on walking aids and the assistance of others to complete basic tasks such as washing, dressing and walking. These patients, many of whom have spent weeks in an ICU, require intensive rehabilitation to return to their previous activities and to reduce potential long-term disability.

While in the ICU, John received daily physiotherapy to get him back on his feet. “The earlier rehabilitation can start, the lesser the effects of prolonged bed rest and the faster patients can begin walking and regain their independence,” Alex explains.

John speaks highly of the staff who looked after him. “I was impressed by the hospital staff. They treated me as if I were their own father or brother, helping me to use my phone to communicate with my family, which was a huge boost and motivation to me.”

Rehabilitation sessions often lasted more than 40 minutes and required the help of 2 therapists once John was in a stable enough condition to begin sitting and moving to a chair next to his bed. Later, John was supported by the therapists to start taking steps with the aid of a walking frame and portable oxygen. Physiotherapists also taught John breathing exercises and used an incentive spirometer device (pictured) to help expand his lungs.

Returning home

Even once home, people recovering from COVID-19 can suffer from extreme weakness, tiredness and breathlessness, and experience issues with mood, attention and memory that require further rehabilitation.

To guide continued recovery at home, WHO produced “Support for rehabilitation self-management after COVID-19-related illness”, which details what to expect and advises on exercises and activities to support recovery once discharged from the hospital.

After 31 days in hospital, 17 of which were in the ICU, John is back at home. While the road to recovery is still ahead of him, he declares, “I return home as a winner and cannot wait to get back to work! I cannot thank all the hospital staff enough for giving me back my life.”