Rehabilitation of Patients Presenting With Coronavirus Disease-19 and Hemiparesis: A Case Series

Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has many unique features in its presentation. One increasingly noted symptom is the incidence of hypercoagulability which may lead to ischemic stroke. Physical therapists (PTs) are an integral component of the medical team and contribute to the early identification of stroke-like symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Case Presentation: This case series will describe the rehabilitation process of 3 patients who survived critical illness due to COVID-19 and had secondary complications including right hemiparesis while in critical care. Patients received rehabilitation by PTs and occupational therapists on average 6 times per week with interventions focused on recovery of strength, functional mobility, neurological re-education, and cognition. The mobility status was assessed with the Perme Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score. Conclusion: Patients who present with COVID-19 need careful screening for neurological impairment. Conventional means to diagnose stroke, such as radiological imaging, can be difficult to obtain in these unique circumstances because of infection control measures. Physical therapists can assist in early identification of neurological impairment in the absence of traditional diagnostic methods through identification of deficits in abilities such as mobility and balance