Effect of multimodal physiotherapy intervention on cardiopulmonary parameters, CD4 cell count, functional aerobic capacity, fatigue severity and quality of life in person living with HIV: A case report

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is associated with reduced cardiopulmonary fitness, fatigue, and compromised quality of life. Physiotherapy-based exercise intervention may help address these functional impairments. The case report describes changes following a multimodal physiotherapy intervention in a 21-year-old male with a 4-year history of HIV infection. The patient participated in a structured intervention for 16 weeks, consisting of 60-80 minutes session, 5 days per week. The program included aerobic exercises, resistance training using TheraBand, breathing exercises, and stretching. Cardiopulmonary parameters including Heart Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), along with the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), SF 36 questionnaire, and CD4 cell count, were assessed before and after intervention. Following 16 weeks of intervention, 6MWD increased from 330 m to 420 m, while estimated VO₂max increased from 10.58 to 12.38 ml/kg/min. Resting heart rate decreased from 108 to 98 beats/min, whereas respiratory rate changed from 15 to 16 breaths/min and SpO₂ remained at 99%. FSS score decreased from 48/63 to 32/63. Improvements were also observed across multiple SF-36 domains. CD4 cell count increased from 412 to 478 cells/mm³. The observed changes following the multimodal physiotherapy intervention suggest potential benefits for functional capacity, fatigue, cardiopulmonary status, and quality of life in this individual.