Rehabilitation in Survivors of COVID-19 (RE2SCUE): a nonrandomized, controlled, and open protocol (preprint)

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of physical rehabilitation for adults with sequelae after COVID-19. MethodsThis clinical, nonrandomized, controlled, and open study will examine 82 participants who have met the inclusion criteria and who will be divided into treatment and control groups according to participant preference. The intervention group will receive face-to-face care; the control group will receive remote educational guidance for 8 weeks, with pre-post evaluations. The primary outcomes are dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise capacity; the secondary outcomes are lung function, heart rate variability, handgrip strength, knee extensor strength and electrical activity, physical activity, functional limitation, cognitive function, depression and anxiety, and biochemical measures of hypoxia, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood glucose, and lactate blood tests. The survey will follow the Standard Protocol Items for Randomized Trials guidelines, and the results will be reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. Effects will be assessed based on the intent-to-treat data collected. Analysis of covariance will be used for the initial and final evaluations, with a significance level of 5%. Results and ConclusionsThe results will show the effectiveness of rehabilitation in adults with post-COVID-19 sequelae. ImpactFatigue, dyspnea, cough, and muscle and joint pain are common sequelae of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Physical rehabilitation is one modality for treating these sequelae. This protocol can provide a treatment model for patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae.