Pain Neuroscience Education Approach to the Physical Therapy Management of Post-Covid Conditions (PCC): A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The emergence and prevalence of post-COVID conditions (PCC) has presented health care providers with an urgent need to determine best practices for treatment and rehabilitation of this condition. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old female with PCC presents to physical therapy via telerehabilitation. Primary complaints included chest pain, throat pain, postexertional malaise (PEM), and breathing dysfunction. Therapeutic intervention included individually titrated exercise and activity to address symptoms and limitations, through a pain neuroscience education approach. OUTCOME: The patient demonstrated improvements in her 30-second sit to stand (mean change: 11 repetitions), resting heart rate (mean change: −6 bpm), patient-specific functional scale (mean change 1.7), and global rating of change score of 6.5. DISCUSSION: The patient made objective and subjective improvements in function and was satisfied with her telerehabilitation. This case demonstrates the feasibility of the telehealth setting and clinical utility of pain neuroscience education as the basis for the physical therapy management of PCC. JOSPT Cases 2024;4(2):64-71. Epub 2 May 2024. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2024.0004