Long COVID can cause a decline in cardiorespiratory fitness, resulting in fatigue andnegative impacts on individuals' quality of life (QoL), particularly in nurses who play acrucial role in public health. Combining with reduced cardiorespiratory fitness andsuffering from a spectrum of long-COVID symptoms might substantially exaggertate fatigue,perceived stress, and reduce willingness to work for hospital nurses. Therefore, thisstudy aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tele-rehabilitative exercise on fatigue,perceived stress, symptom severity of long COVID, and QoL in this population.
The intervention is an extra 8-week tele-rehabilitative exercise program (3 aerobic and 2
strengthing exercise sessions/week at a moderate intensity, 30 min/session), monitored
through a wearable devices and a mobile App. The evaluation of the rehabilitation results
can be presented as a data chart, and the treatment effects are also clearly presented.
Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. Cardiorespiratory fitness was
measured before and after the intervention via cardiopulmonary exercise tests.
Device: wearable device
Participants wore a knee brace with a sensor module on one side of the leg, the sensor
could connect with the KNEESUP care APP which were installed in participant's mobile
phone. The APP was designed with an individualized exercise program and the knee brace
sensor could detect the action moment of the participants during exercise. This equipment
could help the participants to achieve professional-level home rehabilitation, including
3 aerobic and 2 strengthening exercise sessions per week at a moderate intensity, 30
min/session.
Behavioral: Healthy consulation
Participants received routine outpatient health education.
Inclusion Criteria:
- nurses older than 20 years of age
- have reported a positive result on a COVID-19 rapid test or nucleic acid test
- one or more of the following symptoms for more than four weeks: fatigue, discomfort
after physical or mental exertion, fever, cardiopulmonary symptoms such as
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, or palpitations
(CDC, 2022)
- able to perform activities independently without assistance
- total score of 36 or higher on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), confirming fatigue
symptoms, and report that these symptoms either appeared after the infection or
worsened following the infection
Exclusion Criteria:
- without the equipment to install a mobile application (APP)
- unsuitable for wearing devices due to any leg diseases
- unable to engage in aerobic or strength training due to neurological or
musculoskeletal disorders
- pregnancy
- cancer
- absolute and relative contraindications for cardiopulmonary testing or exercise
training
- unsuitable for participation in this study by a rehabilitation specialist;
- regular exercisers
Tri-service General Hospital
Tiapei, Taiwan
Not Provided