Effects of home-based exercise training on quality of life and general health of severe COVID-19 survivors

• Grant number: 21/13580-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2023
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Hamilton Augusto Roschel da Silva
• Grantee: Igor Longobardi Amin
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/13552-2 - Reducing sedentary time in clinical populations: the take a stand for health study, AP.TEM

Abstract

Survivors of severe COVID-19 are more likely to present physical deconditioning, exertion intolerance and a higher prevalence of persistent symptoms, compromising their quality of life after hospital discharge. Conversely, physical exercises are considered a non-pharmacological therapy with great potential for rehabilitation of these individuals. In this sense, the present study proposes a randomized clinical trial aiming at evaluating the effects of a home-based exercise training program on severe COVID-19 survivors' quality and health-related parameters. Will be considered eligible for the present study men and women aged 45 years or over, which have been treated for COVID-19 within the intensive care units (ICU) of HC-FMUSP complex. Participants (n = 50) will be randomly allocated into two groups: experimental (TFD; home-based exercise training program and standard of care follow-up) (n = 25) or control (CON; standard of care follow-up) (n = 25). Patients will be evaluated, before and after the intervention period (16 weeks after baseline assessments), for: 1) quality of life; 2) cardiorespiratory capacity; 3) muscle functionality; 4) body composition; 5) blood biochemical markers (associated with glucose metabolism, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers and muscle damage); 6) persistent symptoms; 7) fatigue severity; 8) symptoms of depression and anxiety; and 9) physical activity level. This project has the potential to reveal the effects of a home-based exercise training program on the quality of life, general health and recovery of convalescents patients of severe COVID-19. The findings may benefit new clinical approaches in COVID-19 post-treatment. (AU)