Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has affected all health systems. Various degrees of respiratory, physical and cognitive dysfunction are reported in infected patients, especially in the elderly population. Timely initiation of rehabilitation can improve prognosis and reduce the possibility of functional decline and long COVID-19. Purpose: The aim of this diploma work is to determine which physiotherapy methods and techniques are most effective in the rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19 for improving functional capacity, balance, aerobic capacity, muscle capacity and respiratory muscle capacity. Methods: The literature was searched in the PubMed database. Studies were selected if they met the following inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials published between 2020 and 2023, full text availability, studies with subjects who had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Results: Seven studies were included in the literature review. They used respiratory physiotherapy techniques and a multicomponent exercise program for the research. Three studies were conducted in-person, and four using telerehabilitation. In four studies, statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups, and in three, statistically significant differences were found only within the research groups. Discussion and conclusion: The results of the reviewed studies showed the effectiveness of respiratory physiotherapy techniques and a multicomponent exercise program in the rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19. In the future, further research with a larger number of subjects from different age groups and a longer duration of interventions would be needed, including persons under 18 years of age and persons with chronic diseases, which were excluded in the reviewed studies. It would also make sense to study other physiotherapy methods and techniques.
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