Search Results (3)

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the effects of multidisciplinary telerehabilitation for the post-COVID-19 condition. Methods: Recruitment was announced during 2021/22 through the COVID patient organisation in Sweden. The key inclusion criteria were persistent symptoms and functional impairments longer than 12 weeks after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, a stable health condition, and satisfactory skills to use the Internet. Participants were randomised into a rehabilitation group or a waiting list. Telerehabilitation was performed by a multidisciplinary team. Measured outcomes included health- and pain-related parameters and pain-related disability after eight weeks and when followed up after six months. Results: In total, 164 participants registered for the study. Of them, 67 participated in an eight-week group telerehabilitation programme (mean age 43, 78% women) and 42 stayed on a waiting list (mean age 47, 88% women) after eight weeks. Sixty participants from the rehabilitation group and 21 from the waiting list completed the data at the six-month follow-up. The results show greater improvements in both health- and pain-related parameters within the telerehabilitation group after eight weeks and six months than within the waiting list group (Cohen’s d effect size varied between moderate and large). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups, except participants being at a lower risk of anxiety measured based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale after eight weeks of telerehabilitation compared to those on the waiting list. Conclusions: The results indicate that multidisciplinary group telerehabilitation is beneficial for improving health- and pain-related parameters in people suffering from the post-COVID-19 condition and should be further developed and adapted for similar conditions, such as chronic pain, fatigue, etc. Full article

This study investigates the outcomes and feasibility concerning the functioning and activity of multidisciplinary group telerehabilitation for a post-COVID-19 condition. Recruitment for the group rehabilitation was announced three times during 2021 and 2022 through the COVID-19 patient organization in Sweden. The key inclusion criteria were remaining symptoms and functional impairments beyond 12 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection; medical assessment and treatment regarding comorbidities or new postinfection symptoms; the ability to use the Internet. Participants were randomized into a rehabilitation group or onto a waiting list using an Internet program. Multiple outcomes included self-scored questionnaires and physical tests before and after eight weeks, and at six months follow-up. Here, we present the self-scored outcomes on the International Classification of Functioning and Disability questionnaire (ICF, 22 body functions and 16 activity/participation categories) and breathing scales. Of the 164 participants who registered for the study, 67 (mean age 43, 78% women) participated in an eight-week group rehabilitation compared to 42 who served as waiting list controls (mean age 47, 88% women). At six months follow-up, 60 participants from the rehabilitation group and 21 from the waiting list completed the data. The results indicate that a larger number of ICF body functions and activity/participation categories had improved in the rehabilitation group after eight weeks and six months. Overall credibility, as assessed by the Credibility Expectancy Questionnaire, was high, and the attrition rate in rehabilitation was low. The results indicate beneficial outcomes for multidisciplinary telerehabilitation in people suffering from a post-COVID-19 condition. Therefore, rehabilitation interventions should be further developed and implemented in clinical practice. Full article

The global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has affected several hundred million people, and many infected people have suffered from a milder initial infection but have never fully recovered. This observational study investigates the pain burden in sufferers of post-COVID-19 syndrome after a milder initial infection. One hundred post-COVID-19 patients filled out questionnaires regarding sociodemographic data, previous comorbidities, present pharmacological treatment, pain intensity and pain localisation. Health-related quality of life, fatigue, emotional status, and insomnia were measured by validated questionnaires. Multiple post-COVID-19 symptoms, including post-exertional malaise, were evaluated by a symptom questionnaire. Among the 100 participants (mean age 44.5 years), 82% were women, 61% had higher education, and 56% were working full or part time. Nine participants reported previous pain or inflammatory conditions. Among the most painful sites were the head/face, chest, lower extremities, and migrating sites. Generalised pain was self-reported by 75 participants and was estimated in 50 participants. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the 2016 criteria was suspected in 40 participants. Subgroup analyses indicated that comorbidities might play a role in the development of pain. In conclusion, a major part of sufferers from post-COVID-19 syndrome develop pain, and in addition to its many disabling symptoms, there is an urgent need for pain management in post-COVID-19 syndrome. Full article