Home-based Exercise Program in Patients With the Post-COVID-19 Condition

Effects of a Home-based Exercise Program on the Functional Sequelae of Patients With the Post-COVID-19 Condition: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The management of the sequelae of COVID-19 is described as the next great challenge of global public health. Multiple symptoms may compose the clinical picture of these patients (eg, fatigue, dyspnea, cognitive dysfunction, myalgia and others), persisting for more than a year and frequently causing clinically important functional impairment. Thus, a clinical trial will be conducted to investigate the effects of a remotely supervised home-based exercise program on functional sequelae of patients diagnosed with the post-COVID-19 condition (also known as Long COVID).

Inclusion Criteria:

• COVID-19 diagnostic history confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test (with clinical presentations of moderate to critical severity).
• Diagnosis of post-COVID-19 condition according to World Health Organization criteria.
• Present ≥1 symptoms at study admission, including dyspnea, fatigue, muscle weakness and/or musculoskeletal pain.
• Have internet access at home.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being under clinical or experimental treatment for the post-COVID-19 condition.
• Any physical disabilities that could hamper physical testing and exercise program.
• Patients with major neuropsychiatric disorders (eg, dementia or severe depression).
• Patients with chronic kidney disease who are in need of hemodialysis.
• Solid organ transplant patients.
• Complex ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation or complete heart block.
• Recent malignant neoplasm.
• Recent deep venous thromboembolism.
• Acute pulmonary embolism or pulmonary infarction.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Uncontrolled type II diabetes.
• Uncontrolled vestibular disorders.
• Acute infections.
• Pregnancy.