Telerehabilitation in People With Long COVID

Effectiveness of a 12-week Telerehabilitation Training in People With Long COVID: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in Post-COVID patients.

Decreased exercise capacity, persistent dyspnea and easily fatigue are found in some Post-COVID patients. Telerehabilitation has been developed in cardiac and pulmonary diseases such as coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years with good clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the effectiveness of home-based telerehabilitation among Post-COVID patients. Thus, we want to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation among Post-COVID patients, including cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity amounts, health related quality of life and sleep quality.

Inclusion Criteria:

Individuals who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 positive and whose last PCR test or rapid antigen test was negative with the following criteria:

• aged between 20 to 80 years old
• persistent symptoms at least 4 weeks after recovery from COVID-19 infection, including any of the following symptoms: dyspnea, fatigue, cough, headache, chest tightness, palpitations, loss of smell, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog or joint pain
• able to speak and understand Mandarin
• able to walk including those who need the walking aid
• had mobile phones and could easily access the Internet

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other respiratory diseases
• a history of arrhythmia,cancer, end-stage renal disease with dialysis, being diagnosed with mental illness, recent stroke within 6 months
• inability to participate because of comorbid neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that produce moderate to severe physical disability
• need all day oxygen support