Changes in fatigue symptoms following an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for patients with long COVID 2024 Daynes et al

Abstract

Background
There is evidence to support COVID-19 rehabilitation programmes improving persistent COVID-19 symptoms; however, there is concern that therapies that include an exercise component may increase fatigue and post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE). The objectives of the present study were to determine the effect of a 6-week COVID-19 rehabilitation programme on fatigue and PESE in individuals with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms.

Methods
After a routine medical assessment, individuals with persistent COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled on a 6-week COVID-19 specific rehabilitation programme. The programme included symptom-titrated exercise, education and self-management advice. Fatigue was assessed pre- and post-programme using the Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue questionnaire (FACIT). Exercise capacity (Incremental and Endurance Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT and ESWT)) and PESE (DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ)) were also assessed pre- and post-programme. Composite scores were calculated for the frequency and severity domains of the DSQ.

Results
148 patients (median (IQR) age 59 (49–72) years, 82 (55%) female, 81 (54%) hospitalised) completed the COVID-19 rehabilitation programme. FACIT score was reduced pre- to post-programme by a mean (CI) change of −5 (−7– −4); p<0.01. Exercise capacity increased by 82 (65–99) m for the ISWT and 398 (333–462) s for the ESWT (n=148). PESE was assessed in 44 patients. The DSQ frequency and severity composite score improved by 20 (13–28) and 19 (13–26) points, respectively (p<0.01, n=44).

Conclusion
These data demonstrate the potential benefits of a COVID-19 rehabilitation programme in improving fatigue, exercise capacity and symptom exacerbation in those with persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Open access, https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/10/4/00089-2024

 

To save anyone time if you were thinking of going to read the paper: it's just as weak and dishonestly slanted as you might be imagining.