Scientific brief template

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Rehabilitation needs of people recovering from COVID-19
Scientific brief 
29 November 2021 
Introduction 
People who are critically unwell with COVID-19 are likely to have rehabilitation needs during and after 
their acute illness. In many individuals recovering from COVID-19, health problems may extend far 
beyond acute infection, even among those who experience mild illness. Limitations in functioning 
resulting from these problems may affect the physical, cognitive, and mental aspects of health, and may 
have an important impact on work and social life. Due to the new, fluctuating and protracted course of 
the after-effects of COVID-19, the need for rehabilitation services in this population may persist beyond 
the pandemic. This scientific brief informs program planners and decision-makers as well as health care 
workers about the health impact of COVID-19 and rehabilitation needs in the COVID-19 population. 
Methods
This document was developed by the WHO Rehabilitation Programme. Its development was based on 
available evidence. The lists of papers provided by the Rapid Living Systematic Reviews on Rehabilitation 
and COVID-19 from the Cochrane Rehabilitation REH-COVER initiative (latest update, 19 June, 2021),
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and 
publications provided by the WHO COVID-19 Clinical Management network formed the basis for inclusion 
to this document. Where relevant, cohort studies were identified covering the following research topics:
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clinical manifestations in COVID-19 patients who need rehabilitation;
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clinical characterization of Post COVID-19 Condition;
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prevalence estimates for ongoing symptoms and limitations in functioning in all COVID-19 
population groups; and
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COVID-19-related health impact, including patient-reported quality of life and changes to 
professional and social life.
Identified papers were screened for references that contribute to the same research topics. Selected 
papers were then grouped according to study outcome data; findings were synthetized using summary 
tables for methodology and main results. Cohorts describing patients with other respiratory diseases or 
reasons for ICU admission have been identified from a rapid review of scientific literature (1). Internal and 
external experts provided feedback on the draft document. A WHO Declaration of Interest form was filled 
in by all external experts and no conflicts of interest have been identified. 
Health Impact of COVID-19 
COVID-19 is a multisystem disease (2)
which may result in several impairment types and limitations in 
functioning. 
All post-acute COVID-19 follow-up studies that incorporated assessments of health-related 
quality of life and capacity measures of functioning universally reported significant deficits in several 
1
See: https://rehabilitation.cochrane.org/covid-19/reh-cover-interactive-living-evidence. 

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Rehabilitation needs of people recovering from COVID-19: scientific brief
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clinical domains (3).
Limitations in functioning and poor quality of life were reported in both hospitalized 
and non-hospitalized adults and children recovering from COVID-19 (4, 5).
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The physical, cognitive and mental health burden experienced by