Tele-exercise Training Program for Long COVID

Effectiveness of a Tele-Exercise Training Program on Long COVID Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients With Long COVID

Patients with long coronavirus disease (COVID-19) experience multisystem symptoms and reduced quality of life (QOL). Proactive interventions are needed to enhance health outcomes.To investigate the effects of a 12-week tele-exercise training program on long COVID symptoms, cardiorespiratory fitness, and QOL.

Long COVID is a multi-organ condition with persistent or delayed symptoms lasting weeks after infection, affecting physical and psychological function and reducing quality of life. It can occur regardless of age or initial disease severity, with prevalence ranging from 30% to 87.4%. Common symptoms include fatigue, cardiopulmonary issues, and neurological problems, collectively impairing daily functioning and mental health.

Exercise-based rehabilitation, including tele-exercise training, has emerged as a practical management strategy and may improve symptoms, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life. However, current evidence remains limited due to small sample sizes and inconsistent protocols. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of a 12-week tele-exercise program on symptoms, fitness, and quality of life in Taiwanese patients with long COVID compared with usual care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 20-80 years
• Diagnosed with long COVID based on the criteria of the World Health Organization
• Able to speak and understand Mandarin
• Able to ambulate independently
• Owns a mobile phone with Internet access
• Willing to participate and undergo randomization

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of arrhythmia
• History of mental illness
• Pregnancy
• Acute or unstable chronic diseases (e.g., recent stroke, ongoing cancer treatment, end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, or major surgery within the previous 3 months) Comorbid neurological or musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, or dementia) resulting in moderate-to-severe physical disability