Article
Feasibility and general efficacy of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms >12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection: The randomized controlled SPOVID intervention pilot study
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Authors
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Carina Emmel
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Oliver Bruder
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, Essen, Bochum, Germany
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Niklas Keller
- Department of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied Sciences, Düssedorf, Germany
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Lukas Schipper
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Christoph Schneider
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
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Alexander Ferrauti
- Department of Training & Exercise Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Mirjam Frank
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Marcus Brinkmann
- Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (IMIBE), Universitätsmedizin Essen, Essen, Germany
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Mareike Eißmann
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
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Thimo Wiewelhove
- Department of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Börge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE)University Hospital of Essen (AöR), Essen, Germany
| Published: | September 6, 2024 |
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Outline
Text
Introduction: Substantial prevalence of COVID-19-related symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported [1]. Exercise rehabilitation intervention for post COVID-19 condition has been recommended [2], however evidence on the efficacy of unsupervised aerobic exercise interventions is still limited. The aim of the present randomized controlled pilot study was to investigate general feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program in participants with persistent symptoms (fatigue, concentration problems, breathing problems or headache) >12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Methods: Participants received a comprehensive cardiological health check. Multiple symptom-related, psychosocial, spiroergometric and body composition parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examination after ~12 weeks. The intervention group underwent a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program focused on low intensities. The control group kept their regular physical activity and was offered the intervention after the follow-up examination. The exercise group received initial guidance on setting aerobic exercise intensity and bi-weekly telephone check-ins were utilized for tracking progress throughout the training period. Both groups maintained an online training diary. Data was evaluated using intention-to-treat, per protocol and as-treated analysis.
Results: The intervention was feasible in terms of safety and tolerability. Feasibility was restricted in terms of adherence to the training plan and maintenance of the training diary, e.g., there were substantial deviation in all training load data (sessions, duration, intensity and training load) in all analysis groups. Due to these limitations in feasibility, statements regarding the efficacy of the training program can only be made to a limited extent. However, there was some weak indication for efficacy of the intervention to reduce self-rated severity of symptoms and to improve overall wellbeing.
Conclusion: An unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention may be recommended only to a limited extend. The study results can be used to inform future studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of unsupervised aerobic exercise training programs in participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The authors declare that a positive ethics committee vote has been obtained.
References
- 1.
- Alkodaymi MS, Omrani OA, Fawzy NA, Shaar BA, Almamlouk R, Riaz M, et al. Prevalence of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome symptoms at different follow-up periods: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2022;28(5):657-66.
- 2.
- Torres G, Gradidge PJ. The quality and pattern of rehabilitation interventions prescribed for post-COVID-19 infection patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Med Rep. 2023;35:102395.
