Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Group-based Telerehabilitation Program in People With Post-COVID-19 Sequelae (TEPCO).

Pilot Study Evaluating the Feasibility and Appropriateness of a Telerehabilitation Exercise Program in People With Post-COVID-19 Sequelae: a Single-center Randomized Trial.

The goal of this study pilot randomized controlled study is to evaluate the feasibility of the study procedures and to compare the preliminary efficacy of a rehabilitation program given in a "remote" (telerehabilitation) or "face-to-face" model for adult patients who had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and still have symptoms after eight weeks of infection. The main question it aims to answer is:

• Are the study procedures feasible?
• Will the two groups have similar results for the preliminary efficacy outcomes?

Researchers will compare group telerehabilitation to a face-to-face group to see if it's comparable.

Participants will:

• Take part in a 60-minute training session, 3 times a week in person or remotely
• Visit the clinic before starting the training program and after 8 weeks of training
• Keep a diary of their symptoms, if any

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients (≥18 years)
• confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection defined by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and/or antigen test results
• referred to the pneumology clinic for a modified British Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score of 2-3 after a minimum of eight weeks of infection
• VO₂max of less than 80% of the predicted value
• receiving a medical prescription for rehabilitation following initial assessment by a pulmonologist
• being able to walk independently
• providing informed consent
• having a good internet connection (i.e., a minimum download speed of 4 Mbps and an upload speed of 4 Mbps)
• being in possession of a computer or tablet equipped with a camera enabling videoconferencing.

Exclusion Criteria:

• requiring in-hospital rehabilitation at discharge
• evidence of medical instability (i.e., moderate or severe cardiac disease, ischemic or severe hemorrhagic stroke, or neurodegenerative disease, unstable fracture)
• history of severe cognitive or mental impairment
• already enrolled in another rehabilitation program