Effect of exercise training on the quality of life and overall health in children and adolescents after COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children

• Grant number: 21/02742-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Bruno Gualano
• Grantee: Camilla Astley Amaral Pedroso
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/16239-1 - Effects of exercise training on health-related quality of life in children and adolescents after COVID-19 and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, BE.EP.DR 22/16147-0 - Effects of exercise training on health-related quality of life in children and adolescents after COVID-19 and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has shown low infection rates in the pediatric population. Children and adolescents with COVID-19 may have persistent inflammation, with isolated or concomitant lesions on various organs. Although we do not know the prolonged effects of this condition on the organism, it is assumed that COVID-19 prospectively affects the physical and mental health of this population. The Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) temporarily associated with COVID-19 is even more severe and presents important cardiac manifestations such as myocardial dysfunction, Myocarditis and affects coronary arteries with echocardiographic signs of Vasculitis, dilation and/or Aneurysms. Bearing in mind that children and adolescents with chronic diseases are generally hypoactive, and the measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 have significantly increased sedentary behavior and physical inactivity in the general population, it is necessary to provide interventions aimed to improve physical and mental health, as well as investigating the possible effects of an exercise training program on pediatric patients surviving from COVID-19. Due to the scarcity of information in this subject, we will conduct two studies. Study 1 will be a randomized clinical trial composed of 40 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Study 2 will have a quasi-experimental design composed of 10 patients diagnosed with MIS-C. Both will have the same outcomes and intervention. In addition, patients with MIS-C will perform a clinical investigation for cardiac parameters of inflammation using the [18 F] FDG PET technique and myocardial perfusion and Myocarditis using the [13N] PET technique. The primary objective of this study will be the effect of the exercise training program on health-related quality of life. Secondary objectives are the effects of exercise training on body composition and bone metabolism, physical activity levels, functional capacity, cardiorespiratory and pulmonary capacity, endothelial function and levels of inflammatory cytokines. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial and a quasi-experimental trial that will include a convenience sample with 40 children and adolescents who recovered from COVID-19 and 10 with MIS-C, treated at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). The inclusion criteria as the following: a) diagnosed with COVID-19 MIS-C in 2020 and 2021; b) confirmation of infection by SARS-CoV-2 (RT-PCR in real time or by antibody test); c) age at diagnosis up to 7 to 18 years old and d) previously healthy individual or with some pre-existing chronic condition. This study is part of an institutional project that is under development at HC-FMUSP, in which include projects that prospectively evaluate evolutionary aspects of COVID-19 in the cardiac, genetic, neural and inflammatory markers. Statistical analysis: In study 1, the effects of the intervention will be tested by the mixed model; in study 2, the effects of the intervention will be tested by the Mann-Whitney or Student's T test. Data will be expressed as median (interquartile range) or mean standard deviation, in addition to a 95% confidence interval, when appropriate. The results of categorical variables will be presented as frequency (percentage) and compared using Fisher's exact test or Pearson's chi-square test, as appropriate. The primary analysis will be by intention of treatment, and the secondary, by complete case. P-values less than 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ESTEVES, GABRIEL P.; MAZZOLANI, BRUNA CARUSO; SMAIRA, FABIANA INFANTE; SANTO ANDRE, HELOISA C.; IRAHA, AMANDA YURI; ASTLEY, CAMILLA; MARQUES, ISABELA GOUVEIA; AMARANTE, MILLA CORDEIRO; REZENDE, NATHALIA SAFFIOTI; SIECZKOWSKA, SOFIA MENDES; et al. Food consumption based on processing level (according to Nova system) during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with immunocompromised conditions: a case-control study. FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION, v. 10, p. 9-pg., 2023-05-16. (21/02742-0, 19/14820-6, 17/13552-2, 15/26937-4, 20/07860-9, 15/03756-4, 20/02741-1, 19/20814-9, 16/00006-7, 19/14819-8, 19/15231-4)

ASTLEY, CAMILLA; DREZNER, JONATHAN A.; SIECZKOWSKA, SOFIA MENDES; IHARA, AMANDA; FRANCO, TATHIANE; GIL, SAULO; DO PRADO, DANILO MARCELO LEITE; LONGOBARDI, IGOR; SUGUITA, PRISCILA; FINK, THAIS; et al. Exercise in Pediatric COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Trial. MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, v. 57, n. 3, p. 10-pg., 2025-03-01. (17/13552-2, 22/16239-1, 22/16147-0, 19/15231-4, 21/02742-0, 21/13580-1)

ASTLEY, CAMILLA; LEAL, GABRIELA NUNES; GIL, SAULO; SUGUITA, PRISCILA; FINK, THAIS; BAIN, VERA; PEREIRA, MARIA FERNANDA BADUE; MARQUES, HELOISA HELENA; SIECZKOWSKA, SOFIA; PRADO, DANILO; et al. Home-Based Exercise Training in the Recovery of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: A Case Series Study. CHILDREN-BASEL, v. 10, n. 5, p. 14-pg., 2023-05-16. (17/13552-2, 21/02742-0, 19/15231-4, 15/03756-4)

ASTLEY, CAMILLA; DO PRADO, DANILO MARCELO LEITE; SIECZKOWSKA, SOFIA MENDES; ESTEVES, GABRIEL P.; SUGUITA, PRISCILA; FINK, THAIS; LINDOSO, LIVIA; MATSUO, OLIVIA; MARTINS, FERNANDA; BAIN, VERA; et al. Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a sample of mainly immunocompromised youth. Journal of Applied Physiology, v. 135, n. 6, p. 7-pg., 2023-12-02. (17/13552-2, 21/02742-0, 19/15231-4, 20/07860-9)