March 2024 CME Activity: Sarcopenia and Multisensory Integration Deficit in Post-COVID Syndrome Patients The Clinical, Ultrasound and Robotic Evaluation Protocol in a Cross-sectional Study-Sarcopenia and Multisensory Integration Deficit in Post-COVID Syndrome Patients The Clinical, Ultrasound and Robotic Evaluation Protocol in a Cross-sectional Study

Sarcopenia and Multisensory Integration Deficit in Post-COVID Syndrome Patients The Clinical, Ultrasound and Robotic Evaluation Protocol in a Cross-sectional Study

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A recent study conducted by researchers in Italy and Turkey has found that post-COVID syndrome in relatively young patients is associated with a high incidence of sarcopenia, a condition characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and function. The study included 74 outpatients who reported persistent fatigue and mild neurological/motor deficits following a COVID-19 infection. The researchers used a combination of clinical, ultrasound, and robotic evaluations to assess the patients. <br /><br />The findings showed that 41% of the patients had sarcopenia, and these patients were older, had a longer duration of infection, and a higher incidence of hospitalization compared to those without sarcopenia. However, both groups reported similar levels of fatigue. Sarcopenic patients also walked slower than nonsarcopenic patients. <br /><br />The study also revealed that post-COVID syndrome patients had a deficit in multisensory integration, as evidenced by an increased sway path during elastic balance tests. This deficit was present in 79% of patients and was independent of sarcopenia and disease severity. <br /><br />The researchers concluded that sarcopenia and multisensory integration deficit contribute to the symptoms experienced by post-COVID syndrome patients. The findings highlight the importance of diagnosing and addressing these conditions in the management of post-COVID syndrome. The study also demonstrated the utility of the Clinical, Ultrasound, and Robotic Evaluation protocol in objectively assessing symptoms that may not be detected by common diagnostic tools. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for these conditions in post-COVID syndrome patients.

Keywords

post-COVID syndrome

sarcopenia

muscle mass

age-related

persistent fatigue

neurological deficits

multisensory integration

balance tests

clinical evaluation

robotic assessment