Abstract
Aim This feasibility trial examined the acceptability of a community-based COVID-19 education and physical therapy programme for improving the symptomology of individuals with Long COVID-19.
Methods A sample of 22 individuals (age: 46±16, male: 12 & female: 10), 11±4 months since initial infection with Long COVID-19 symptoms (persisting for ≥12 weeks) participated in a 6-week physical therapy & community-based education programme. Participants were provided with guidance for the management of their health, lifestyle, symptomology and physical activity through weekly group-based in-person sessions and telephone consultations. Post-intervention qualitative data was also collected- from both completing and non-completing participants- to assess factors determining their programme compliance.
Results High adherence to both the community-based sessions and telephone consultations was achieved. Physical therapy sessions were deemed safe, with only mild exertional symptoms observed for the 17/22 completers during the programme. Reasons for non-completion included ‘symptom exertion’ and ‘concerns for contracting COVID-19’. Repeated-measures T-test analyses demonstrated meaningful improvements in participants’ fatigue (Chalder Fatigue scale & FACIT-F) and respiratory (CAT) symptomology post-intervention [table 1]. Participants’ qualitative feedback praised the programme for enhancing their confidence and readiness for resuming activities of daily living, in addition to its feasible and enjoyable delivery style.
Conclusion The feasibility of delivering an accessible COVID-19 education and physical therapy programme within the community was high with good adherence rates and meaningful improvements in fatigue and respiratory symptoms. In terms of research importance, it plausible to suggest that thousands of people with long COVID-19 in the UK cannot be accommodated to hospital-based rehabilitation programmes, so community-based rehabilitation of this nature may provide a feasible alternative.
Methods A sample of 22 individuals (age: 46±16, male: 12 & female: 10), 11±4 months since initial infection with Long COVID-19 symptoms (persisting for ≥12 weeks) participated in a 6-week physical therapy & community-based education programme. Participants were provided with guidance for the management of their health, lifestyle, symptomology and physical activity through weekly group-based in-person sessions and telephone consultations. Post-intervention qualitative data was also collected- from both completing and non-completing participants- to assess factors determining their programme compliance.
Results High adherence to both the community-based sessions and telephone consultations was achieved. Physical therapy sessions were deemed safe, with only mild exertional symptoms observed for the 17/22 completers during the programme. Reasons for non-completion included ‘symptom exertion’ and ‘concerns for contracting COVID-19’. Repeated-measures T-test analyses demonstrated meaningful improvements in participants’ fatigue (Chalder Fatigue scale & FACIT-F) and respiratory (CAT) symptomology post-intervention [table 1]. Participants’ qualitative feedback praised the programme for enhancing their confidence and readiness for resuming activities of daily living, in addition to its feasible and enjoyable delivery style.
Conclusion The feasibility of delivering an accessible COVID-19 education and physical therapy programme within the community was high with good adherence rates and meaningful improvements in fatigue and respiratory symptoms. In terms of research importance, it plausible to suggest that thousands of people with long COVID-19 in the UK cannot be accommodated to hospital-based rehabilitation programmes, so community-based rehabilitation of this nature may provide a feasible alternative.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | A122 |
| Journal | Thorax |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | Suppl 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Nov 2023 |
| Event | British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2023 - London, United Kingdom Duration: 22 Nov 2023 → 24 Nov 2023 |
