Effectiveness of an Inpatient Virtual Reality-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program among COVID-19 Patients on Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life: Preliminary Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Forms of rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19 are gaining interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare an innovative in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation programs augmented with training elements performed in virtual reality. This randomized controlled study included 32 patients enrolled in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation at a Public Hospital in Poland. The rehabilitation models included exercise capacity training on a cycle ergometer, breathing and general fitness workout, resistance training, and relaxation. The forms of training and relaxation differed between the groups: the experimental group employed virtual reality, and the control group used a traditional form of therapy. Exercise tolerance was assessed using a 6 min walk test (6 MWT), while psychological parameters were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the brief World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BRIEF). The analysis of the post-rehabilitation results showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups regarding depression (VR: 6.9 (3.9) vs. 4.7 (3.5), p = 0.008; CG: 7.64 (4.5) vs. 6.6 (4.8), p = 0.017) and anxiety (VR: 8.6 (4.6) vs. 5.6 (3.3), p < 0.001; CG: 9.57 (6.0) vs. 8 (4.8), p = 0.003). No statistically significant improvements in quality of life were noted in both groups. Moreover, the analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in the exercise capacity in both groups after completion of the rehabilitation program, expressed as a distance in the 6 MWT, as well as a statistically significant improvement in dyspnea in the VR group. To conclude, the analysis of the preliminary data revealed that a 3-week hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for COVID-19 patients led to an improvement in exercise tolerance as well as a reduction in the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The virtual reality-based form of training delivery, despite its attractiveness, did not significantly affect patients' performance.