Pursuing Reduction in Fatigue After COVID-19 Via Exercise and Rehabilitation (PREFACER): A Randomized Feasibility Trial
Long COVID is a complex condition that affects approximately 1.4 million Canadians following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fatigue is the most common symptom of Long COVID. This feasibility trial will evaluate a new rehabilitation program called COVIDEx for treating fatigue after COVID-19, and compare its effectiveness to the standard treatment currently used. The experimental treatment group will receive an 8-week multi-modal rehabilitation program with two 50-minute sessions per week. 60 participants will be recruited, randomly assigned to the COVIDEx program or standard of care (SoC) and followed for 24 weeks.
• Adults of at least 18 years of age
• Able to provide informed consent
• Can speak and understand English
• Documented history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive PCR/antigen test during acute illness or clinical diagnosis by physician during or after the acute illness)
• Fatigue symptoms within 3 months of COVID-19 infection, lasting at least 2 months
• Fatigue symptoms cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis
• Fatigue symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 infection or persist from the initial illness
• Fatigue symptoms may have an episodic nature, fluctuate or relapse over time
• Minimal functional capability: able to walk 10-15 minutes and be recovered within 30-60 minutes or without significant post-exertional malaise (PEM)
• Has applicable technology to access Microsoft Teams and Webex (i.e., computer, laptop, tablet)