Individualised, symptom-oriented movement therapy can reduce fatigue in Long COVID patients

A study by the Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement in Saarbrücken examined the effect of individualised, symptom-oriented movement therapy on patients with Long COVID-related fatigue. As part of the study, staff at 19 gyms based in the Saarland first instructed Long COVID patients on how to monitor their symptoms and adapt their training to their individual needs. The patients then independently matched their training to the severity of their symptoms. Data from a total of 118 Long COVID patients were evaluated. After a period of 10 weeks, the participants in the training programme experienced reduced fatigue and an improved health-related quality of life compared to the control group. The participants in the training programme also demonstrated greater improvements in hand strength measurements compared with the control group.

The special aspect of this study is that it was designed from the outset with interventions that can be easily implemented in popular sports. The approach appears promising, can be implemented without too much effort and, by using pacing strategies, takes into consideration any post-exertion malaise (PEM) as reported by some Long COVID patients. In the case of post-exertion malaise, physical activity can make symptoms worse. This is why it is important that treatment aligns any activities with the patient’s own tolerance levels and avoids any excessive exertion.