Cochrane has released a new Special Collection Coronavirus (COVID-19): evidence relevant to clinical rehabilitation. This Special Collection is one of a series of collections on COVID-19, and will be regularly updated.
Rehabilitation has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an essential health strategy, alongside promotion, prevention, treatment, and palliative care. Rehabilitation focuses on the overall functioning of the whole person, including comorbidities. Consequently, rehabilitation of individuals who have experienced COVID-19 must consider not only the consequences of the disease but also the effects of treatments applied during the acute phase. Rehabilitation inherently serves to reduce disability, with broad health, social, and economic impacts.
This Special Collection is the result of collaboration within Cochrane Rehabilitation, with rigorous involvement from stakeholders: the Steering Committee of the REH-COVER (Rehabilitation COVID-19 Evidence-based Response) action and the Cochrane Rehabilitation Advisory Board. This Special Collection includes systematic reviews from Cochrane Emergency and Critical Care, Cochrane Neuromuscular, Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care and Cochrane Common Mental Disorders.
Image credit: Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute