Physical exercise as a treatment for persisting symptoms post-COVID infection: review of ongoing studies and prospective randomized controlled training study.
Clin Res Cardiol
; 112(11): 1699-1709, 2023 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37698618
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
No evidence-based treatment is available for patients with persisting symptoms post-COVID-19 infection. We hypothesized that physical exercise may represent a safe and effective treatment option for post-COVID.METHODS:
We performed a systematic search of the literature that revealed a lack of randomized training studies in patients post-COVID. Based on these findings, a prospective randomized controlled study with open-label and blinded endpoint evaluation was designed. 272 patients with symptoms of fatigue persisting over 6 weeks post-COVID infection were screened. Patients with pathological cardiovascular findings were excluded. 57 patients consented and were randomized to 4 weeks of supervised personalized strength and endurance training or usual care. The follow-up period was 3 and 6 months.RESULTS:
There were no adverse events related to the training. Spiroergometry of the training group showed a significantly higher increase in VO2peak (10.0 ± 12.7% vs. 0.1 ± 8.9%, p < 0.01, respectively) and oxygen pulse (9.8 ± 10.8% vs. 0.0 ± 13.9%, p < 0.05, respectively). Parameters of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Post-COVID-19 Functional Status were improved after 4 weeks in both groups. In the follow-up period, the total physical activity per week was significantly greater in the exercise group than in controls (1280 ± 1192 min vs. 644 ± 554 min, p < 0.05, respectively). The improvements in fatigue and quality of life were not statistically different between the training and usual care groups.CONCLUSION:
Exercise is safe and improves maximal exercise capacity in post-COVID patients. Fatigue and quality of life improve over time in individuals that are willing to participate in a training study irrespective of their allocation. REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00026686. Date of registration 27.09.2021.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Quality of Life
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Res Cardiol
Journal subject:
CARDIOLOGIA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany