The Impact of Physiotherapy on Motor Function in a Child Recovering from Human Coronavirus NL63: A Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62464/ijoprp.v4i1.87Keywords:
case report, coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, developmental delay, pediatricAbstract
Backgrounds: This case report aims to investigate potential neurological complications in children following Human Coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) infection and evaluate the effectiveness of 12-week physiotherapy intervention in improving motor function in this child. Methods: This case study examines a four-year-old male patient with multiple health dysfunctions following an HCoV-NL63 infection. A 12-week rehabilitation program including whole body vibration, lower extremities strengthening exercise, stairs climbing, balance exercise, and obstacles course was performed. The evaluation included the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST), and the 10-Meter Walking Test (10MWT) to assess motor abilities and walking speed. Results: The participant demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in motor function. The PBS score increased from 33 at baseline to 49 at 12 weeks. Walking speed increased from 0.56 meters/second at baseline to 1.43 meters/second. The DDST revealed improvement in fine motor skills such as copying a circle and drawing a person with three body parts Conclusions: This case report demonstrates that a 12-week physiotherapy program can lead to substantial improvements in motor function, including balance and walking speed, in a child with developmental delays following a severe HCoV-NL63 infection. However, the study also highlights the broader neurological and developmental populations. While respiratory symptoms are typically the focus of HCoV-NL63 treatment, this case report suggests that clinician should also consider potential long-term neurological effects, especially in severe cases. The child’s history of seizures and global developmental delay points to the need for more research into the virus’s impact on brain function and development.
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