RCT Long COVID-19 Rehabilitation

Summary

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in at least four million infections in Norway. The vast majority of cases are diagnosed and followed up in the community, but some with extensive symptoms and large degree of reduced function are referred to regional Covid-clinics. In total this patient group is placing an enormous burden on the already over stretched health care services. As the pandemic subsides the emerging threat of long-term disability from COVID remains to be quantified. Brain fog and cognitive symptoms are common in long COVID in 30% of mild infections resulting in sick leave and loss of daily function, with women overrepresented among long COVID sufferers. The true prevalence and underlying mechanisms of long COVID remains to be quantified. Although vaccination prevents severe infection and death, we have little knowledge on how best to rehabilitate those who suffers from long COVID.

Here we propose to develop knowledge on treatment interventions to counteract disability from long COVID and lessening the burden on health care services. We will conduct a study of where we compare a short group intervention with systematic personalised neurocognitive rehabilitation to document symptom alleviation. Our overarching goal is to develop effective programmes for this evolving disease to reduce the suffering for the patients, and thereby reducing costs for health services and society at large.

Conditions

• Rehabilitation
• Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
• Post-Infectious Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

One day course

a physical one-day course at the Covid rehabilitation clinic. During these six hours, general information about rehabilitation principals will be given. Theory about three 15 focus areas of importance will be presented; daily routine, importance of being active and cognitive training. They will meet others with similar problems and will be given an opportunity to exchange experience. 8-10 patients will participate in the group.

BEHAVIORAL

Individual follow-ups

the patient will meet a therapist in a physical consultation at the Covid rehabilitation clinic lasting for 1.5 hours. Together they will in detail map out symptoms and impairment of function in the patient's life. Together the patient and the therapist will create plan to address these problems consisting of tailored home-based exercises within the three focus areas. Tree follow-up consultations will be given.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bergen

  collaborator OTHER

• Oslo University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology

  collaborator OTHER

• University Hospital of North Norway

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Maja Wilhelmsen, ph.d · University Hospital of North Norway

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-03

Primary Completion

2025-02-28

Completion

2025-11-30

Countries

• Norway

Study Locations