HKBU launches rehabilitation programme for discharged COVID-19 patients

22 Sep 2020

 

HKBU has launched a unique Hong Kong Rehabilitation Programme for COVID-19 which aims to deliver comprehensive recovery care to discharged COVID-19 patients by integrating cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise training with the use of Chinese herbal medicine.

 

The Programme team is led by HKBU’s eminent scientists and health professionals, namely, Professor Guo Yike, Vice-President (Research and Development) and Professor of the Department of Computer Science; Professor Julien Baker, Head and Professor of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health; Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Director and Chair Professor of the Clinical Division of the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM); and Professor Jia Wei, Chair Professor in Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology at SCM. 

 

Discharged COVID-19 patients can experience a number of debilitating physical and mental changes, such as shortness of breath, impaired lung functions, depression, etc. To address this, the interdisciplinary team has developed a treatment programme that combines cardiorespiratory exercise, resistance training and inspiratory muscle training along with Chinese herbal medicines to improve systemic metabolic and immune function, as well as pulmonary problem-related clinical symptoms which are evident in discharged COVID-19 patients. 

 

Professor Guo said: “While medical resources have been directed predominantly to the screening, detection, and treatment of patients infected with COVID-19, as well as the development of vaccines, one important aspect – patient rehabilitation – has been overlooked. This novel rehabilitation approach is the first-of-its-kind programme to benefit coronavirus sufferers around the world in a holistic and effective manner.”

 

Please click here for details.