Effectiveness and Safety of a Tele-Rehabilitation Program on Fatigue and Related Variables in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post COVID Syndrome

Summary

This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a tele-rehabilitation program based on mindful and conscious movement-based exercise (including adapted yoga, breathing exercises, and body awareness) compared to conventional exercise (low-intensity strength and aerobic training) and usual medical care (control group) over twelve weeks. The study is for people diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalitis (CFS/ME) or Post-Covid Syndrome (PCS).

We will also look at how the program affects the autonomic nervous system by measuring heart rate variability (HRV).

All sessions will be delivered remotely via Telehealth, so participants can take part from home. Assessments will be completed online at the beginning of the study, after three months (at the end of the intervention), and again three months later.

Conditions

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalitis (CFS/ME)
• Post COVID Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindful and conscious movement-based exercise

The program will last for 12 weeks and will consist of one weekly 45-minute session, with an additional 5 minutes of exercise added each month: • 15 minutes of health education. Educational content will focus on self-management, pacing, planning of activity and rest, basic theoretical framework about the conditions, and familiarization with mindful and awareness practices and their purported benefits. • 30 minutes of conscious movement-based exercise practice, increasing by 5 minutes each month and guided by pacing recommendations. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to engage in at least 15 minutes of daily practice with the support of recorded material.

BEHAVIORAL

Conventional exercise

The program will last for 12 weeks and will consist of one weekly 45-minute session, with an additional 5 minutes of exercise added each month: * 15 minutes of health education. Educational content will now focus on self-management, pacing, planning of activity and rest, basic theoretical framework about the conditions, and the rationale for the impact of exercise in symptom management. * 30 minutes of low intensity strength and aerobic exercise practice, with session duration progressively increased by increasing by 5 minutes each month and guided by pacing recommendations. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to engage in at least 15 minutes of daily practice with the support of recorded material.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Seville

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hermann Fricke-Comellas, Principal Investigator · University of Seville

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-10-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2027-03-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations