A lifestyle adjustments program in long COVID-19 improves symptomatic severity and quality of life. A randomized control trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic intervention based on self-adjustment strategies for improving of symptomatic severity and quality of life. MethodsThe study was a randomised single-blind clinical trial. Quality of life, disability, and functional impairment were collected. The control group received a leaflet with information on the main symptoms of Long-COVID-19 syndrome, in addition to standard medical treatment. The intervention group received treatment following a dual approach; on the one hand, monitoring and recognition of symptomatology and on the other hand, adaptation and functional improvement. ResultsA total of 54 participants were included, 27 were included in the intervention group and 27 in the control group. At the beginning of the study, no significant differences were found between groups. After intervention, the quality of life variable showed significant differences between groups in the self-care and anxiety/depression dimensions. Significant between-groups differences were also found for the self-care subscale of the disability variable. The intervention group showed significant differences from baseline on some subscales of the quality of life, disability, and functional impairment variables. ConclusionStrategies based on lifestyle adjustments are adequate for the improvement of quality of life and symptom severity in the long COVID-19 population. Practice implicationThe findings suggest that applying an intervention focused in self-adjustment for long COVID patients can have positive effects.