Abstract
Purpose:
Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of long-COVID, yet individuals often struggle to access appropriate services and must self-manage. This study aimed to adapt an existing smartphone app, originally developed for fatigue in autoimmune rheumatic disease, for individuals with long-COVID.
Materials and Methods:
A multidisciplinary steering group reviewed current clinical and scientific evidence to inform the adaptation of the app, reCOVer. The app includes an activity pacing diary, goal-setting tool, assertiveness and communication cards, and guidance on fatigue, sleep, relaxation, and setbacks. Beta-testing was conducted with 11 individuals with long-COVID (aged 21–57). Each participant took part in two serial qualitative interviews: the first explored their experience of fatigue and initial reactions to the app; the second, after 7–10 days of use, captured usability and acceptability feedback.
Results:
Participants found reCOVer helpful, particularly for increasing awareness of unhelpful patterns (e.g. boom–bust cycles) and supporting behaviour change through pacing. Communication tools were valuable when cognitive difficulties were prominent. Suggested improvements included text-to-speech functionality, clearer goal-setting instructions, and better articulation of app benefits.
Conclusions:
reCOVer shows promise as a self-management tool for long-COVID fatigue. Further research, such as a pilot RCT, is needed to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness.
Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of long-COVID, yet individuals often struggle to access appropriate services and must self-manage. This study aimed to adapt an existing smartphone app, originally developed for fatigue in autoimmune rheumatic disease, for individuals with long-COVID.
Materials and Methods:
A multidisciplinary steering group reviewed current clinical and scientific evidence to inform the adaptation of the app, reCOVer. The app includes an activity pacing diary, goal-setting tool, assertiveness and communication cards, and guidance on fatigue, sleep, relaxation, and setbacks. Beta-testing was conducted with 11 individuals with long-COVID (aged 21–57). Each participant took part in two serial qualitative interviews: the first explored their experience of fatigue and initial reactions to the app; the second, after 7–10 days of use, captured usability and acceptability feedback.
Results:
Participants found reCOVer helpful, particularly for increasing awareness of unhelpful patterns (e.g. boom–bust cycles) and supporting behaviour change through pacing. Communication tools were valuable when cognitive difficulties were prominent. Suggested improvements included text-to-speech functionality, clearer goal-setting instructions, and better articulation of app benefits.
Conclusions:
reCOVer shows promise as a self-management tool for long-COVID fatigue. Further research, such as a pilot RCT, is needed to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-19 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Disability and Rehabilitation |
| Early online date | 27 Oct 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 27 Oct 2025 |