A NEW study carried out in Coventry has found an online rehabilitation programme improves life quality for people with long Covid.
City researchers have shown a structured programme of exercise and psychological support delivered live online improves the quality of life for people with long Covid.
Improvements were seen in treating symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, and pain.
The Rehabilitation Exercise and Psychological Support after Covid-19 infection (REGAIN) trial, is the first to show a benefit from rehabilitation for those with long covid.
William, in his 50s, took part in the programme because had nearly died from severe coronavirus with multiple respiratory, pulmonary, muscular and psychological problems caused by the virus.
William said he could not get out of bed after being brought home from intensive care, and spent a year learning, to once again walk the short distance to the end of his street.
He added: “After a year, I was fortunate enough to take part in the REGAIN programme, which provided me with a solid base and platform, from which to, firstly, address and, secondly, understand my physical and psychological problems.
“As well as the tailored exercise programme, the programme gave me the practical tools I needed, to continue my rehabilitation in a measured way at my own pace.”
Reports show over one million people in the UK reported symptoms from Covid-19 lasted longer than 12 weeks, and more than 750,000 said they lasted more than two years.
The REGAIN programme is an eight-week course of weekly online group exercises and psychological support.
In total, 585 participants who had been hospitalised with Covid-19 and were still suffering symptoms, were randomly assigned to a group.
At three months, 17 per cent of the intervention group said their overall health was ‘much better now’ compared with eight per cent in the usual care group.
Researchers at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust and The University of Warwick conducted the trial.
