Perception of Verticality in the Post-COVID-19 Condition Correlates to Infection Severity

Overview

Journal J Cent Nerv Syst Dis

Publisher Sage Publications

Date 2023 Nov 29

PMID 38025401

Authors

Bruno Henrique de Souza Fonseca

Pedro Henrique Sousa de Andrade

Maria Eduarda Salum Aveiro Henrique

Jussara Almeida de Oliveira Baggio

Rodrigo Bazan

Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande De Souza

Gustavo Jose Luvizutto

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple systems, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory systems. Changes associated with physical inactivity due to prolonged hospitalization can affect the functional capacity of individuals with long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or post-COVID-19 condition and may cause changes in some postural control functions, such as verticality.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of verticality in individuals with long COVID.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study included 60 participants with post-COVID-19 condition divided into 2 groups: hospitalized group (n = 24), those hospitalized owing to SARS-CoV-2 infection; and non-hospitalized group (n = 36), those infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not hospitalized. All participants were examined using a post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) sit-to-stand test, grip strength assessment, painful and tactile sensory assessments, visual acuity assessment, and vestibular assessment. Verticality perception was evaluated using the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) tests. In both tests, the absolute values (positive values only) and true values (positive and negative values) were considered. To verify potential confounders that could influence the verticality of the results, logistic regression models were used for categorical variables and multiple linear regressions were used for continuous variables. For analysis between groups, the independent samples test (Mann-Whitney U test) was used.

Results: There were no confounders between clinical variables and verticality in either group. There was a significant increase in absolute SVV (mean deviation [MD]: 2.83; < .0001) and true SVV (MD: -4.18; = .005) in the hospitalized group compared to the non-hospitalized group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the true SHV (MD: -3.6; = .026) in the hospitalized group compared to that in the non-hospitalized group.

Conclusion: Less accurate visual and haptic verticality perception task performance was observed in hospitalized patients with post-COVID-19 condition.

Citing Articles

Clinical and Functional Effects of Rehabilitation of Patients after COVID-19 Infection.

Dzieciol-Anikiej Z, Kuryliszyn-Moskal A, Pociene M, Dzieciol J, Dakowicz A, Kostro A J Clin Med. 2024; 13(11).

PMID: 38892974 PMC: 11173142. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113257.

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