Feasibility of a Group-based Telerehabilitation Intervention for post-COVID Condition Management

Abstract

Background and objective: The prevalence and chronic nature of post-COVID condition (PCC) burden requires a better understanding of effective rehabilitation interventions in large scale clinical trials. Telerehabilitation exercise-based interventions are effective in other chronic disease groups. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a physiotherapist-supervised group telerehabilitation exercise intervention for PCC management. Methods: Individuals presenting with PCC symptoms, defined as persistent dyspnoea, fatigue or chest pain, beyond 4 months (120 days) post COVID-19 diagnosis and had not undertaken exercise training three months prior to randomisation into the trial were included. Participants were randomised to receive either i) a twice-weekly 45 min physiotherapist-supervised group telerehabilitation exercise sessions via the Zoom teleconferencing platform for ten weeks or iii) continue with usual care. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment rate, adherence, completion rate, adverse events and technological issues. Exploratory clinical outcomes including exercise capacity, fatigue and health-related quality of life were assessed. Results: 21 participants with mean age 53 ± 14 yrs were recruited 365 ± 67 days after a diagnosis of COVID-19. The recruitment rate was 39% of possible participants. The telerehabilitation participants completed 18 ± 2 sessions, with 100% completing 16 sessions or more. There were no adverse events and two technological problems reported for the intervention group. Nine (82%) of the intervention group completed the follow-up assessments. Conclusion: Supervised group telerehabilitation is feasible and safe for PCC management. Future trials are required to investigate the efficacy and generalizability of the supervised group-based telerehabilitation exercise intervention for PCC management.