Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Feasibility, of Tele-rehabilitation Following COVID-19

This study is investigating a new way to help people who have been seriously ill with COVID-19, especially those who needed hospital care and breathing support. We know that many people still feel breathless and tired after leaving hospital. Usually, a programme called pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) helps people with long-term lung conditions get fitter and feel better, but attending classes in person is difficult with current social distancing rules. This study is testing a 'tele-rehabilitation' programme, delivered through video calls at home, to see if it's a good way to give people this support. It's a small, initial study to find out if people are willing and able to take part in such a programme and if it seems helpful, before running a bigger trial.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

24 Aug 2020

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Pulmonary Disease

What is this study about?

When people get very sick with COVID-19 and need to go into hospital, especially if they need help with their breathing, it can take a long time to feel better afterwards. Many find they are still very breathless, tired, and struggle with everyday activities even weeks or months later. This study is exploring a way to support these individuals during their recovery.

Traditionally, a type of support called 'pulmonary rehabilitation' has been very helpful for people with long-term lung conditions. It involves a mix of exercises and education to help improve fitness, reduce breathlessness, and boost overall well-being. However, with COVID-19, it's hard for people to attend group classes in person due to the need for social distancing and protecting vulnerable individuals. This research aims to see if we can deliver a similar rehabilitation programme remotely, using video calls from the comfort of people's homes, which we call 'tele-rehabilitation'.

This is a 'feasibility' study, which means it's a smaller, initial step to check if this tele-rehabilitation approach is practical and acceptable. The researchers want to find out things like how many people who've been seriously ill with COVID-19 are still struggling, if they're happy to take part in a study like this, and if they can use video calls for their therapy. This information is crucial before they can plan a larger study to definitively prove if tele-rehabilitation is effective in helping people recover.

Key takeaways

This study helps people recovering from severe COVID-19.
It uses video calls for exercise and education at home.
The aim is to improve breathing, fitness, and daily activities.
It's an early study to see if the approach is practical.
Participants will eventually receive the rehabilitation.
It's called 'tele-rehabilitation' to help with social distancing.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be an adult (18 years or older) who has had suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and required hospital care for it within the last three months. This includes if you needed breathing support like a ventilator or special oxygen masks. It also needs to be at least four weeks since you left the hospital or had your first positive COVID-19 test, whichever was more recent.

You should also be experiencing significant breathlessness (finding it hard to do things like walk quickly or go up hills) and feel that your activities are limited compared to before you got COVID-19. Importantly, you would need to have an internet connection and a device (like a computer, tablet, or smartphone) that allows you to make video calls, and be able to provide your informed consent to participate.

There are certain reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have other serious physical or mental health conditions that would make it difficult to participate safely in exercise, follow instructions, or would significantly affect your recovery. Also, if you are currently involved in another major clinical trial related to COVID-19, you wouldn't be able to take part in this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Did you have suspected/confirmed COVID-19 and need hospital care within the last 3 months?
Is it at least 4 weeks since you left hospital (or had a positive test, whichever is later)?
Are you experiencing breathlessness (mMRC grade 2 or more) and feel your activities are limited compared to before COVID-19?
Do you have internet access and a device for video calls?
Do you feel generally well enough to try some modified exercise?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are invited to take part in this study, you would be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group would start the tele-rehabilitation programme relatively quickly (within about two weeks), while the other group would wait for about 6-8 weeks before starting. This design helps the researchers understand the benefits more clearly.

The tele-rehabilitation programme itself would involve exercise and educational sessions delivered through video calls with a therapist. The study will assess your symptoms and your ability to exercise at the beginning and the end of the programme, as well as before and after the rehabilitation itself. This will help the researchers understand if and how your symptoms and fitness change. We don't have the exact duration of the programme, but traditional pulmonary rehabilitation typically lasts 6-12 weeks, with classes once or twice a week.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits, such as improving your breathlessness, physical fitness, and overall quality of life through the tele-rehabilitation programme. While rehabilitation is generally safe, there's a small risk of discomfort or injury with any exercise programme, though the sessions will be tailored to your abilities. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and the research team will explain all aspects of the study and answer any questions you have.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Castle Hill Hospital
Verified postcode
Cottingham, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'tele-rehabilitation'?

It's an exercise and education programme delivered to your home using video calls, so you can connect with a therapist remotely.

Why is this a 'feasibility study'?

It's a small, initial study to see if the tele-rehabilitation programme is practical and well-received before they conduct a larger, more definitive trial.

Will I definitely get the rehabilitation if I join?

Yes, if you're eligible and agree to take part, you will eventually receive the tele-rehabilitation. Some people will start sooner, others will wait a few weeks.

What kind of problems does this programme aim to help with?

It's designed to help with common issues after severe COVID-19, like breathlessness, tiredness, and limits on daily activities, by improving physical fitness and understanding of your condition.

Do I need special equipment to participate?

You'll need an internet connection and a device that can do video calls, like a smartphone, tablet, or computer, to connect with your therapist.