ArticleERJ open research2024
Changes in fatigue symptoms following an exercise-based rehabilitation programme for patients with long COVID.
Article in ERJ open research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed.
- Trial
- Trial
- Shifting focus to phenotypes: the evolution of long COVID rehabilitation.ERJ open research · 2026Article
- Evaluation of a multidisciplinary neurological rehabilitation program for the post-COVID-19 condition.Journal of neurology · 2026Article
- From Exhaustion to Empowerment: A Pilot Study on Motor Control-Based Exercise for Fatigue and Quality of Life in Long COVID-19 Patients.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Article
- Hybrid Pulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Cardiorespiratory Exercise Fitness in Formerly Hospitalised Long COVID Patients.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Post-exertional malaise in Long COVID: subjective reporting versus objective assessment.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
- Defining and measuring long COVID fatigue: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2024Article
- Tailored Physical Activity Interventions for Long COVID: Current Approaches and Benefits-A Narrative Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Physiotherapy management of Long-COVID: an evidence-based approach.Brazilian journal of physical therapyReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
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.
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Registered trials
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