The key COVID-19 findings in rehabilitation, distilled into a clear, readable brief. The evidence is here whenever you want to go deeper.
INSIDE THIS MONITOR
37cited sources
24available findings
Study findings updated
AI-assisted evidence summary. For general information. These findings are not individual medical advice or a clinician endorsement.
THE SHORT VERSION
What’s worth knowing.
The key findings, what they mean, and the context that matters.
THE HEADLINE TAKEAWAYMD 102.34 m; p<0.0001
Rehabilitation improved short-term walking, breathlessness and anxiety
Compared with usual care, rehabilitation increased short-term 6-minute walking distance, with a mean difference of 102.34 m, and reduced modified Medical Research Council breathlessness scores and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety scores.
A systematic review and meta-analysis studied people with long COVID. The outcomes were short-term; the exact follow-up duration is not available in this summary.
See the evidence
Short-term improvement in 6-minute walking distance with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID
MD 102.34 m; p<0.0001 95% CI: 44.48-160.21 m
Chakraverty, Sneha et al.. Rehabilitation in long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. ERJ open research. 2026.
Cognitive rehabilitation improved goal attainment at 3 months
For people with Long COVID-related cognitive impairment, cognitive rehabilitation improved goal attainment versus treatment as usual at 3 months.
This was a randomized clinical trial in people with Long COVID-related cognitive impairment.
See the evidence
Effect size for cognitive rehabilitation vs treatment as usual on goal attainment at 3 months in Long COVID cognitive impairment
Cohen d = 1.57 95% CI: 2.03-3.73 (mean difference scale)
Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.
Tele-rehabilitation improved several outcomes; mobility remained uncertain
Tele-rehabilitation plus usual care improved breathlessness, fatigue, pain and health-status scores versus usual care, but did not establish a difference in mobility scores.
In this randomized trial of people with long COVID, the program lasted 8 weeks. The report characterized adherence as high and the proportion unable to progress exercises as substantial; this summary does not define the adherence measure or that proportion's denominator.
See the evidence
Greater improvement in health status with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD 7.74 95% CI: 1.05 to 14.43
Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania et al.. Tele-rehabilitation for individuals with long COVID: a randomised clinical trial.. ERJ open research. 2026.
Pulmonary rehabilitation improved quality of life and exercise capacity
In randomized controlled trials, exercise-based pulmonary rehabilitation improved physical and mental quality-of-life scores in people with Long COVID. Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation improved the 6-minute walk and 30-second sit-to-stand tests.
The reference conditions for these findings are not identified in the available summary, so the effect sizes are not featured.
See the evidence
Physical quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials
MD: 8.04 95% CI 3.02-13.05
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Mental quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials
MD: 6.60 95% CI 2.01-11.18
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Improvement in functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test) with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation
MD: 53.72 m 95% CI 43.69-63.75
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Improvement in 30-second sit-to-stand test with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation
MD: 4.68 95% CI 3.59-5.77
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Digital rehabilitation showed no clear added fatigue benefit
No clear difference
Digital rehabilitation did not show a clear added improvement in Fatigue Assessment Scale score versus usual care at 12 weeks.
This cluster-randomized trial involved people with Long COVID. Fatigue improved across all trial arms, including usual care, but that descriptive change was not specific to digital rehabilitation.
See the evidence
The reported result does not establish a difference; it does not prove equivalence.
Effect of digital rehabilitation versus usual care on Fatigue Assessment Scale score at 12 weeks; no statistically significant added benefit was demonstrated.
Effect: -0.53 FAS points; P = 0.25 95% CI: -1.42 to 0.36
Unknown. Integrated care pathway in individuals with Long COVID: STIMULATE-ICP, a cluster-randomized, phase 3 trial.. Nature medicine. 2026.
Acupressure and Qigong did not meaningfully improve physical function
Adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong to written self-care advice and routine care did not produce a statistically significant or clinically relevant physical-function improvement versus written self-care advice and routine care alone at 8 weeks.
In this randomized trial of post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function, fatigue improved slightly more with the added intervention than with written self-care advice and routine care alone; this was a secondary outcome.
See the evidence
At 8 weeks, adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong to written self-care advice and routine care did not significantly or clinically relevantly improve physical function compared with advice and routine care alone.
Dietzel, Joanna et al.. Acupressure and Qigong in post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function: a randomized clinical trial.. Frontiers in medicine. 2026.
As a secondary outcome, fatigue improved slightly more with acupressure and Qigong than with the control condition at 8 weeks.
Week-8 mean Chalder Fatigue Scale score 21.4 vs. 23.2; p=0.040 Intervention: 95% CI 20.2-22.6; control: 95% CI 22.0-24.3
Dietzel, Joanna et al.. Acupressure and Qigong in post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function: a randomized clinical trial.. Frontiers in medicine. 2026.
Acupressure and Qigong did not clearly improve physical function
Adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong to written self-care advice and routine care did not produce a statistically significant or clinically relevant physical-function improvement versus written self-care advice and routine care alone at 8 weeks.
In this randomized trial of people with post-infectious fatigue and impaired physical function, fatigue improved slightly more with the added intervention as a secondary outcome. Achieving at least a 10-point physical-function improvement showed only a statistically nonsignificant favorable trend.
Study details & original results
Dietzel, Joanna et al.. Acupressure and Qigong in post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function: a randomized clinical trial.. Frontiers in medicine. 2026.
At 8 weeks, adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong to written self-care advice and routine care did not significantly or clinically relevantly improve physical function compared with advice and routine care alone.
Rehabilitation improved short-term walking, breathlessness and anxiety
MD 102.34 m; p<0.0001
Compared with usual care, rehabilitation increased short-term 6-minute walking distance, with a mean difference of 102.34 m, and reduced breathlessness and anxiety scores.
This systematic review and meta-analysis studied people with long COVID. The exact short-term follow-up duration and rehabilitation programs are not available in this summary.
Study details & original results
Chakraverty, Sneha et al.. Rehabilitation in long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. ERJ open research. 2026.
Short-term improvement in 6-minute walking distance with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID
MD 102.34 m; p<0.0001 95% CI: 44.48-160.21 m
Short-term reduction in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety symptoms with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID
MD -1.64; p=0.02 95% CI: -3.02 to -0.26
Short-term reduction in modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID
Tele-rehabilitation improved symptoms, but mobility remained uncertain
Tele-rehabilitation plus usual care improved breathlessness, fatigue, pain and health-status scores versus usual care, but did not establish a difference in mobility scores.
This randomized trial involved people with long COVID and an 8-week program. The report characterized adherence as high and the proportion unable to progress exercises as substantial; this summary does not define the adherence measure or that proportion's denominator.
Study details & original results
Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania et al.. Tele-rehabilitation for individuals with long COVID: a randomised clinical trial.. ERJ open research. 2026.
Greater improvement in health status with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD 7.74 95% CI: 1.05 to 14.43
Greater improvement in dyspnoea with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD 1.24 95% CI: 0.10 to 2.37
Greater improvement in EQ-5D-5L pain with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD -0.36 95% CI: -0.70 to -0.03
Greater improvement in fatigue with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD -0.90 95% CI: -1.78 to -0.02
No significant between-group difference in AM-PAC mobility after 8-week tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.
MD 0.61 95% CI: -0.91 to 2.13
Feasibility of the 8-week tele-rehabilitation program; high adherence was accompanied by a substantial proportion unable to progress their exercises.
Digital rehabilitation showed no clear added fatigue benefit
No clear difference
Digital rehabilitation did not show a clear added improvement in Fatigue Assessment Scale score versus usual care at 12 weeks.
In this cluster-randomized trial of people with Long COVID, fatigue improved across all trial arms, including usual care, but that descriptive change was not specific to digital rehabilitation.
Study details & original results
Unknown. Integrated care pathway in individuals with Long COVID: STIMULATE-ICP, a cluster-randomized, phase 3 trial.. Nature medicine. 2026.
Effect of digital rehabilitation versus usual care on Fatigue Assessment Scale score at 12 weeks; no statistically significant added benefit was demonstrated.
Effect: -0.53 FAS points; P = 0.25 95% CI: -1.42 to 0.36
Descriptive change across all four trial arms, including usual care; this is not a digital-rehabilitation-specific treatment effect.
Mean FAS improvement: 4.5 points, from 35.8 at baseline to 31.3 at 12 weeks
The reported result does not establish a difference; it does not prove equivalence.
Dates show when findings were added here, not when papers were published. Study populations and comparisons differ.
WHEN YOU WANT TO GO DEEPERSee all 24 findingsOriginal results, comparisons and study details.
10 of 10 source groupsFindings stay together with their study.
SOURCE 373 findings
Dietzel, Joanna et al.. Acupressure and Qigong in post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function: a randomized clinical trial.. Frontiers in medicine. 2026.
At 8 weeks, adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong to written self-care advice and routine care did not significantly or clinically relevantly improve physical function compared with advice and routine care alone.
Effect of digital rehabilitation versus usual care on Fatigue Assessment Scale score at 12 weeks; no statistically significant added benefit was demonstrated.
Added
Effect: -0.53 FAS points; P = 0.2595% CI: -1.42 to 0.36Source [34]
Descriptive change across all four trial arms, including usual care; this is not a digital-rehabilitation-specific treatment effect.
Added
Mean FAS improvement: 4.5 points, from 35.8 at baseline to 31.3 at 12 weeksSource [34]
SOURCE 011 finding
Ceban F, Ling S, Lui LMW, et al. Fatigue and cognitive impairment in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun. 2022;101:93-135.
Durstenfeld MS, Peluso MJ, Peyser ND, et al. Factors Associated With Long COVID Symptoms in an Online Cohort Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2228153.
Davis HE, Assaf GS, McCorkell L, et al. Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;38:101019.
Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.
Effect size for cognitive rehabilitation vs treatment as usual on goal attainment at 3 months in Long COVID cognitive impairment
Cohen d = 1.5795% CI: 2.03-3.73 (mean difference scale)Source [32]
Sustained effect size for cognitive rehabilitation at 6 months
Cohen d = 0.9195% CI: 0.86-2.57 (mean difference scale)Source [32]
SOURCE 334 findings
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Browse the 37 original sourcesThe complete bibliography behind this monitor.
[1]
Ceban F, Ling S, Lui LMW, et al. Fatigue and cognitive impairment in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Behav Immun. 2022;101:93-135.
Durstenfeld MS, Peluso MJ, Peyser ND, et al. Factors Associated With Long COVID Symptoms in an Online Cohort Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(8):e2228153.
Original source link unavailable
[3]
Davis HE, Assaf GS, McCorkell L, et al. Characterizing long COVID in an international cohort: 7 months of symptoms and their impact. EClinicalMedicine. 2021;38:101019.
Original source link unavailable
[4]
Huang L, Yao Q, Gu X, et al. 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet. 2021;398(10302):747-758.
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Al-Aly Z, Xie Y, Bowe B. High-dimensional characterization of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Nature. 2021;594(7862):259-264.
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Al-Aly Z, Bowe B, Xie Y. Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection. Research Square. 2022.
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Daynes E, Gerlis C, Chaplin E, et al. Early experiences of rehabilitation for individuals post-COVID to improve fatigue, breathlessness exercise capacity and cognition - A cohort study. Chron Respir Dis. 2021;18:14799731211015691.
Original source link unavailable
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PHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group. Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK. Lancet Respir Med. 2022;10(8):761-775.
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Antonelli M, Penfold RS, Merino J, et al. Risk factors and disease profile of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection in UK users of the COVID Symptom Study app. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):43-55.
Original source link unavailable
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Nopp S, Moik F, Klok FA, et al. Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID Improves Exercise Capacity, Functional Status, Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Quality of Life. Respiration. 2022;101(6):593-601.
Original source link unavailable
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Singh I, Joseph P, Heerdt PM, et al. Persistent Exertional Intolerance After COVID-19: Insights From Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing. Chest. 2022;161(1):54-63.
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Rinaldo RF, Mondoni M, Parazzini EM, et al. Deconditioning as main mechanism of impaired exercise response in COVID-19 survivors. Eur Respir J. 2021;58(2):2100870.
Original source link unavailable
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Twomey R, DeMars J, Franklin K, et al. Chronic Fatigue and Postexertional Malaise in People Living With Long COVID: An Observational Study. Phys Ther. 2022;102(4):pzac005.
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Taquet M, Sillett R, Zhu L, et al. Neurological and psychiatric risk trajectories after SARS-CoV-2 infection: an analysis of 2-year retrospective cohort studies. Lancet Psychiatry. 2022;9(10):815-827.
Original source link unavailable
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Fugazzaro S, Contri A, Esseroukh O, et al. Rehabilitation Interventions for Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(9):5185.
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Ballering AV, van Zon SKR, Olde Hartman TC, Rosmalen JGM. Persistence of somatic symptoms after COVID-19 in the Netherlands: an observational cohort study. Lancet. 2022;400(10350):452-461.
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[18]
Mancini DM, Brunjes DL, Lala A, et al. Use of Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing for Patients With Unexplained Dyspnea Post-Coronavirus Disease. JACC Heart Fail. 2021;9(12):927-937.
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[19]
Appelman B, Charlton BT, Dijkstra R, et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nat Commun. 2024;15:17.
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[20]
Pretorius E, Vlok M, Venter C, et al. Persistent clotting protein pathology in Long COVID/PASC is accompanied by increased levels of antiplasmin. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2021;20(1):172.
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[21]
Su Y, Yuan D, Chen DG, et al. Multiple early factors anticipate post-acute COVID-19 sequelae. Cell. 2022;185(5):881-895.e20.
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[22]
Gloeckl R, Leitl D, Jarosch I, et al. Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in COVID-19: a prospective observational cohort study. ERJ Open Res. 2021;7(2):00108-2021.
Original source link unavailable
[23]
Hayden MC, Limbach M, Schuler M, et al. Effectiveness of a Three-Week Inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Patients after COVID-19. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(17):9001.
Original source link unavailable
[24]
Shouman K, Vanichkachorn G, Cheshire WP, et al. Autonomic dysfunction following COVID-19 infection: an early experience. Clin Auton Res. 2021;31(3):385-394.
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Wong TL, Weitzer DJ. Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) - A Systemic Review and Comparison. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(5):418.
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[26]
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[27]
O'Connor RJ, Preston N, Parkin A, et al. The COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS): Application and psychometric analysis. J Med Virol. 2022;94(3):1027-1034.
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[28]
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[29]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19. NICE guideline NG188. 2022.
Original source link unavailable
[30]
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). PASC Collaborative Consensus Guidance Statements. 2021-2023.
Original source link unavailable
[31]
Verduzco-Gutierrez M, Estores IM, Graf MJP, et al. Models of Care for Postacute COVID-19 Clinics: Experiences and a Practical Framework for Outpatient Physiatry Settings. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2021;100(12):1133-1139.
Original source link unavailable
[32]
Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.
Silveira, Janne Marques et al.. Effects of Exercise-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Advances in respiratory medicine. 2026.
Dietzel, Joanna et al.. Acupressure and Qigong in post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function: a randomized clinical trial.. Frontiers in medicine. 2026.
This is an AI-assisted evidence summary, not a clinician endorsement. Read each original paper for its complete methods, population and limitations. Different studies can ask different questions and report different kinds of results.
Dates marked “added” describe when a finding entered this monitor, not when the study was published or clinically reviewed. Personal health and treatment decisions belong in a conversation with a qualified clinician.