This study aims to evaluate the impact of a functional and cognitive rehabilitation strategy compared to evidence-based informational messages, on functional capacity, cognitive abilities, quality of life, and disease progression in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and Long Covid-19. Researchers will compare a structured rehabilitation program to informational support through evidence-based messages to determine if rehabilitation leads to better functional and cognitive outcomes in patients with Long Covid-19. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. Functional and cognitive rehabilitation: Attending weekly in-person sessions for 8 weeks, including supervised physical and cognitive exercises. 2. Informational support: Receiving weekly evidence-based educational messages for 8 weeks. Participants will undergo assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and six months later, including a six-minute walk test, handgrip strength measurement, and questionnaires on disability, anxiety, depression, fatigue, dyspnea, cognitive function, and quality of life.
Study Objective The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of a functional and cognitive rehabilitation strategy compared to evidence-based informational messages, on functional capacity, cognitive abilities, quality of life, and disease progression in adults with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and Long Covid-19. Specific Objectives * Determine the prevalence of Long Covid-19 among participants from previous Covid-19 institutional registries, describing the primary clinical manifestations based on symptom recurrence and severity. * Administer a functional and cognitive rehabilitation strategy in patients with NCDs and Long Covid-19, and compare it with evidence-based informational messages Evaluate the impact of both interventions on key clinical outcomes, including: * Six-minute walk test performance (functional capacity) * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (cognitive function) * EQ-5D-5L (quality of life assessment) * Incidence of events indicating worsening of underlying conditions Methodology The study has been conducted in two phases. The second phase is the one being registered on this platform: 1. Phase 1: Identification and Diagnosis of Long Covid-19 * Study Design: Identification of eligible patients through institutional registries at Fundación Cardioinfantil - Instituto de Cardiología (FCI-IC) and Hospital Militar Central (HOMIL). * Eligible Population: Adults (≥18 years) with a history of hypertension or type 2 diabetes mellitus who had a suspected acute SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 and December 2021. * Sample Size and Recruitment: Approximately 2,240 individuals were contacted, with an expected 30% prevalence of long COVID, yielding at least 672 eligible participants for the clinical trial. Screening Procedures: * Telephone contact using a pre-established script adapted from one of the registries. * Administration of a structured questionnaire on persistent symptoms, functional limitations, and prior health conditions. Criteria for Long Covid-19 diagnosis: * Presence of at least two persistent, intermittent, or recurrent symptoms for at least four weeks. * At least one symptom significantly impacting daily activities. * Symptoms unexplained by pre-existing health conditions. Data Management: Information has been recorded in the REDCap platform, ensuring secure data collection and monitoring. 2. Phase 2: Randomized Clinical Trial * Study Design: A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with active control. * Eligible Participants: Those diagnosed with Long Covid-19 in Phase 1. Randomization (1:1): * Experimental Group: Functional and cognitive rehabilitation strategy. * Control Group: Informational support with evidence-based messages. Inclusion Criteria: * Confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis. * History of hypertension or diabetes before the SARS-CoV-2 infection. * Persistent symptoms affecting daily life. * Ability to participate in in-person rehabilitation or receive informational support. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \>80 years. * Advanced chronic conditions (e.g., severe heart failure, advanced kidney disease). * Hospitalizations in the year prior to study enrollment. * Cognitive or physical impairments preventing participation. * Interventions Functional and Cognitive Rehabilitation: Duration: 8 weeks, with one session per week at the study site. 1. Functional Rehabilitation (Supervised by trained health professionals) * Warm-up (8 min) * Aerobic exercise (20 min on treadmill/elliptical) * Muscle toning (8 min) * Cool-down (8 min) 2. Cognitive Rehabilitation (Guided by occupational therapy professionals) - 30-minute sessions focusing on memory, attention, and executive functions. Informational Support with evidence-based messages (Active Control): Weekly delivery of evidence-based health information via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. Topics include COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and prognosis. Three informational messages per week for 8 weeks. Outcome Measures 1. Primary Outcomes: * Six-minute walk test. * MoCA cognitive assessment. * EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire. * Incidence of clinical events related to NCD deterioration. 2. Secondary Outcomes: * Fatigue severity (Fatigue Severity Scale). * Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). * Disability assessment (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0). * Dyspnea severity (MRC Dyspnea Scale). Additionally, complementary measurements will be taken at the initial visit, post-intervention, and six months after completion to assess: * WHO Disability Assessment Questionnaire. * Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. * Fatigue Severity Scale. * MRC Dyspnea Scale. * Study Timeline and Follow-up Baseline assessment (before intervention). * Post-intervention evaluation (within 4 weeks of completion). * Six-month follow-up assessment. * Evaluations conducted by trained, blinded assessors to ensure objectivity. Ethical Considerations * Confidentiality: Participant data will be managed per ethical guidelines and stored securely. * Voluntary Participation: Participants may withdraw without affecting their standard medical care. * Safety Measures: Rehabilitation sessions will be supervised to mitigate risks such as fatigue or dizziness. * Insurance Coverage: A study-specific insurance policy will provide coverage for any adverse events related to the interventions. This study will contribute to understanding Long Covid-19 management in patients with chronic conditions, providing evidence for the development of effective rehabilitation strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
374
The functional and cognitive rehabilitation strategy is a structured, supervised program, designed to improve physical and cognitive function in patients with Long Covid-19 and chronic diseases. Participants will attend weekly in-person sessions for 8 weeks at study sites. Each session includes: * Functional Rehabilitation (60 min): Warm-up, aerobic exercise (elliptical/treadmill), muscle strengthening, and cool-down, all supervised by trained healthcare professionals who monitor effort levels and heart rate. * Cognitive Rehabilitation (30 min): Memory, attention, and executive function exercises, guided by occupational therapists or speech therapists.
The evidence-based informational support intervention provides structured, research-based health information to patients with Long Covid-19 and chronic diseases. Participants receive weekly digital messages for 8 weeks via email or text, covering key topics such as Covid-19 prevention, treatment, follow-up, and prognosis. Content is derived from high-quality scientific studies and clinical guidelines. A total of 24 informational pieces are delivered, ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential health recommendations. This intervention is remote, accessible, and designed to enhance patient knowledge and self-management, distinguishing it from traditional in-person education programs.
Fundación Cardioinfantil-Instituto de cardiología
Bogotá, Bogotá DC, Colombia
RECRUITINGComposite Change in Functional Capacity, Cognitive Function, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Strength
The primary outcome is a composite measure evaluating the aggregated change across four key functional and cognitive scales: * Functional Capacity with six-minute walk test. * Cognitive Function with Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA. The minimum score is 0 points, which would indicate very severe cognitive impairment, since the maximum total score is 30 points. Normally, a score of 26 or higher is considered within the normal range, although the range may vary depending on factors such as the patient's age and educational level. A score below 26 could suggest possible cognitive impairment, and the lower the score, the more indicative it may be of severe cognitive problems. * Health-Related Quality of Life with EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Levels, EQ-5D-5L. Maximum value: 1 This value corresponds to the best possible health state. Minimum value: -0.594 This value corresponds to the worst possible. * Handgrip Strength with hydraulic dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in Functional Capacity
Distance covered in six minutes will be measured and compared to baseline values. Additional tests include the four-step climb power test and the 30-second sit-to-stand test, evaluating lower body strength and endurance. Greater distance indicates better functional capacity. Lower values may indicate physical dysfunction or a chronic illness.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in Cognitive Function
Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores will be used to assess changes in memory, visuospatial abilities, executive function, attention, language, and orientation. The minimum score is 0 points, which would indicate very severe cognitive impairment, since the maximum total score is 30 points. Normally, a score of 26 or higher is considered within the normal range, although the range may vary depending on factors such as the patient's age and educational level. A score below 26 could suggest possible cognitive impairment, and the lower the score, the more indicative it may be of severe cognitive problems.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life
Changes in mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression will be evaluated using EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Levels. Maximum value: 1 This value corresponds to the best possible health state. Minimum value: -0.594 This value corresponds to the worst possible.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life, Visual Analogue Scale
In addition to the score based on the 5 dimensions, the VAS scale from 0 to 100, where: 0 represents the worst imaginable health and 100 represents perfect health.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in Handgrip Strength, Hydraulic Dynamometer
Bilateral handgrip strength will be measured according to the American Society of Hand Therapists guidelines. Changes in dominant and non-dominant hand strength will be assessed.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Incidence of Chronic Disease Decompensation Events
Participants will report new medical visits, hospital admissions, medication adjustments, or cardiovascular events related to their underlying chronic condition.
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Additional Functional and Clinical Assessments
Complementary assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up, including: * WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 0-24: No significant disability 25-49: Mild to moderate disability 50-74: Moderate to severe disability 75-100: Severe or extreme disability * Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale 0-7 points: Normal, no signs of anxiety or depression. 8-10 points: Possible signs of anxiety or depression, follow-up is needed. 11-21 points: Indicative of clinically significant symptoms of anxiety or depression, suggesting a more detailed evaluation is needed. * Fatigue Severity Scale 1 - 3: Low fatigue 4 - 5: Moderate fatigue 6 - 7: Severe fatigue * Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale Level 1: No difficulty breathing during normal activities. Level 2: Dyspnea with moderate physical activities. Level 3: Dyspnea with everyday physical activities. Level 4: Dyspnea with minimal exertion. Level 5: Dyspnea at rest, indicating sever
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1), 4 weeks post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
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