Journal Article

Effects of a 16-week home-based exercise training programme on health-related quality of life, functional capacity, and persistent symptoms in survivors of severe/critical COVID-19: a randomised controlled trial

Lima, Fernanda Rodrigues, Roschel, Hamilton, Boza, João Antonio Spott de Oliveira, de Andrade, Danieli Castro Oliveira, Prado, Danilo Marcelo Leite do, Gil, Saulo, Gualano, Bruno, Goessler, Karla, de Oliveira Júnior, Gersiel Nascimento, Meletti, Matheus Molina, Longobardi, Igor, Santos, Jhonnatan Vasconcelos Pereira

2023

Overview

BackgroundLong-lasting effects of COVID-19 may include cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal muscle, metabolic, psychological disorders and persistent symptoms that can impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We investigated the effects of a home-based exercise training (HBET) programme on HRQoL and health-related outcomes in survivors of severe/critical COVID-19.MethodsThis was a single-centre, single-blinded, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Fifty survivors of severe/critical COVID-19 (5±1 months after intensive care unit discharge) were randomly allocated (1:1) to either a 3 times a week (~60–80 min/session), semi-supervised, individualised, HBET programme or standard of care (CONTROL). Changes in HRQoL were evaluated through the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and physical component summary was predetermined as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, pulmonary function, functional capacity, body composition and persistent symptoms. Assessments were performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of intervention. Statistical analysis followed intention-to-treat principles.ResultsAfter the intervention, HBET showed greater HRQoL score than CONTROL in the physical component summary (estimated mean difference, EMD: 16.8 points; 95% CI 5.8 to 27.9; effect size, ES: 0.74), physical functioning (EMD: 22.5 points, 95% CI 6.1 to 42.9, ES: 0.83), general health (EMD: 17.4 points, 95% CI 1.8 to 33.1, ES: 0.73) and vitality (EMD: 15.1 points, 95% CI 0.2 to 30.1, ES: 0.49) domains. 30-second sit-to-stand (EMD: 2.38 reps, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.76, ES: 0.86), and muscle weakness and myalgia were also improved in HBET compared with CONTROL (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen in the remaining variables. There were no adverse events.ConclusionHBET is an effective and safe intervention to improve physical domains of HRQoL, functional capacity and persistent symptoms in survivors of severe/critical COVID-19.Trial registration numberNCT04615052.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Body composition / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Exercise / Fatigue / Fitness training programs / Heart rate / Hypertension / Infections / Intensive care / Intervention / Laboratories / Nutrition research / Original research / Oxygen saturation / Physical activity / Physical fitness / Quality of life / Quality standards / Rehabilitation / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Ventilators