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Rehabilitation

Study findings updated . AI-assisted evidence summary, 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 TAKEAWAYBetter at 12 monthsQuality of life vs a single advice session, after weekly online group rehab

Online group rehab after hospital improved quality of life for a year.

585 adults with long COVID, at least three months after a COVID hospital stay, were randomly assigned to eight weeks of live online group exercise and psychological support sessions, or to a single online advice session (usual care). The group programme improved health-related quality of life more than usual care at three and 12 months.

A programme people join from home, in live online groups, helped hospital survivors with long COVID feel better for a full year, showing that rehab can reach people at scale without a clinic visit. Randomized trial in England and Wales that enrolled only people previously hospitalized with COVID; participants knew which group they were in and rated their own quality of life.

See the evidence

A randomized trial of 585 adults with long COVID after a hospital stay, delivered online across England and Wales and followed for 12 months.

From the study: “585 adults (26-86 years) discharged from NHS hospitals at least three months previously after covid-19”

Better at 12 months

McGregor G et al. Clinical effectiveness of an online supervised group physical and mental health rehabilitation programme for adults with post-covid-19 condition (REGAIN study): multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2024.

From the study: “The REGAIN intervention was delivered online over eight weeks and consisted of weekly home based, live, supervised, group exercise and psychological support sessions.”

Better at 12 months

McGregor G et al. Clinical effectiveness of an online supervised group physical and mental health rehabilitation programme for adults with post-covid-19 condition (REGAIN study): multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2024.

From the study: “group physical and mental health rehabilitation programme was clinically effective at improving health related quality of life at three and 12 months compared with usual care”

Better at 12 months

McGregor G et al. Clinical effectiveness of an online supervised group physical and mental health rehabilitation programme for adults with post-covid-19 condition (REGAIN study): multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2024.

02

Only 29% felt fully recovered a year after a COVID hospital stay.

29% felt fully recoveredHospital survivors feeling fully recovered 1 year after discharge (25.5% at 5 months)

Among UK adults hospitalized with COVID, 28.9% said they felt fully recovered 1 year after discharge, about the same as the 25.5% at 5 months. Women, people with obesity and those who had needed invasive mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine) were less likely to report full recovery at 1 year.

Most hospital survivors were still not back to normal a year on, with little change after the first months, so long-term follow-up and support matter, especially for the groups least likely to recover. Observational UK cohort of people discharged March 2020 to April 2021; only 807 of 2,320 attended both the 5-month and 1-year visits, and recovery was self-rated.

See the evidence

The PHOSP-COVID study followed 2,320 adults discharged from UK hospitals after COVID, checking them at about 5 months and 1 year.

From the study: “The proportion of patients reporting full recovery was unchanged between 5 months (501 [25·5%] of 1965) and 1 year (232 [28·9%] of 804).”

29% felt fully recovered

PHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group. Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study. The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. 2022.

From the study: “Factors associated with being less likely to report full recovery at 1 year were female sex (odds ratio 0·68 [95% CI 0·46-0·99])”

29% felt fully recovered

PHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group. Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study. The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. 2022.

From the study: “obesity (0·50 [0·34-0·74]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (0·42 [0·23-0·76])”

29% felt fully recovered

PHOSP-COVID Collaborative Group. Clinical characteristics with inflammation profiling of long COVID and association with 1-year recovery following hospitalisation in the UK: a prospective observational study. The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. 2022.

03

One-to-one rehab helped people with long COVID brain fog reach daily goals.

66% vs 15%Made a big (4+ point) gain on personal goals at 3 months: rehab vs usual care

Adults with long COVID and measured thinking problems were randomly assigned to weekly one-to-one video sessions of goal-focused cognitive rehabilitation, or to usual care. A big gain (4 or more points) on their own everyday goals came in 65.8% vs 15.0% at 3 months, and the benefit lasted to 6 months. Fatigue, post-exertional malaise, anxiety, depression and sleep did not differ.

Brain fog has had no proven treatment. Here, coaching people to use practical strategies on tasks they chose helped them get those tasks done, even though fatigue and most thinking-test scores stayed the same. Small single-blind trial of 78 mostly White adults aged 30 to 60 in England; goals were self-rated, the responder figures were exploratory, and follow-up thinned by 6 months.

See the evidence

A randomized trial at 3 sites in England, run 2023 to 2024, in 78 adults with long COVID and objectively measured thinking problems.

From the study: “Using a more stringent threshold of 4 or more points in improvement, 25 participants in the CR group (65.8%) met this criterion at 3 months compared with 6 participants in the TAU group (15.0%).”

66% vs 15%

Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.

From the study: “In this study, individualized, goal-oriented CR led to significant and sustained improvements in goal attainment in people with long COVID-related cognitive impairment.”

66% vs 15%

Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.

From the study: “There were no significant group differences on other cognitive tests or symptoms, including fatigue, postexertional malaise, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance at 3 or 6 months”

66% vs 15%

Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.

04

Three remote brain-fog treatments failed to beat puzzles or sham stimulation.

No better than puzzlesRemote brain-fog treatments vs online puzzles or sham stimulation

In 328 US adults with long COVID brain fog, 10 weeks of adaptive brain-training games (BrainHQ) or structured cognitive rehabilitation plus BrainHQ did no better on self-rated everyday thinking (the ECog2 scale) than unstructured online puzzles, and real brain stimulation did no better than sham. All 5 groups, puzzles included, improved somewhat over time.

This large US trial could not show that brain-training, structured rehab or brain stimulation add anything for brain fog beyond simple puzzle games, though people in every group reported some improvement. Phase 2 trial with a self-reported main outcome, run August 2023 to June 2024; people joined on self-rated thinking complaints, without needing low scores on objective tests.

See the evidence

A 5-arm NIH RECOVER randomized trial of 328 adults at 22 US sites, with all treatments delivered remotely over 10 weeks.

From the study: “None of the 3 active interventions demonstrated benefits on the modified ECog2 in the intention-to-treat population by the end of the intervention period.”

No better than puzzles

Knopman DS et al. Evaluation of Interventions for Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA neurology. 2026.

From the study: “All 5 arms demonstrated some improvements over time on the modified ECog2 and on secondary outcomes.”

No better than puzzles

Knopman DS et al. Evaluation of Interventions for Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA neurology. 2026.

From the study: “the RECOVER-NEURO trial rapidly recruited 328 adults from 22 sites in the US into a randomized clinical trial of 10 weeks’ duration of 3 remotely administered interventions”

No better than puzzles

Knopman DS et al. Evaluation of Interventions for Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA neurology. 2026.

05

1 in 4 US adults with long COVID report significant activity limits.

About 1 in 4 limited26.4% of US adults with long COVID had significant activity limits, June 2023

In a national US survey, 26.4% of adults with long COVID in June 2023 said their symptoms significantly reduced their ability to carry out day-to-day activities compared with before COVID. That share did not change over time, even as long COVID fell from 7.5% to 6.0% of all US adults over the study year.

Fewer Americans have long COVID than a year earlier, but among those who do, the share whose daily lives are seriously disrupted has not shrunk, a steady need for rehab, workplace and care support. Repeated cross-sectional online Census survey with self-reported long COVID and limits, so it tracks the population rather than following the same people over time.

See the evidence

CDC analysis of the Census Bureau's national Household Pulse Survey of US adults, repeated from June 2022 to June 2023.

From the study: “During June 7-19, 2023, 26.4% (95% CI = 24.0-28.9) of adults with long COVID reported significant activity limitation, the prevalence of which did not change over time.”

About 1 in 4 limited

Ford ND et al. Long COVID and Significant Activity Limitation Among Adults, by Age - United States, June 1-13, 2022, to June 7-19, 2023. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2023.

From the study: “long COVID prevalence decreased from 7.5% (95% CI = 7.1-7.9) to 6.0% (95% CI = 5.7-6.3) among the overall U.S. adult population”

About 1 in 4 limited

Ford ND et al. Long COVID and Significant Activity Limitation Among Adults, by Age - United States, June 1-13, 2022, to June 7-19, 2023. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2023.

From the study: “significant activity limitation from long COVID (i.e., long-term symptoms significantly reduced ability to carry out day-to-day activities compared with the time before having COVID-19)”

About 1 in 4 limited

Ford ND et al. Long COVID and Significant Activity Limitation Among Adults, by Age - United States, June 1-13, 2022, to June 7-19, 2023. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2023.

06

Muscle damage in long COVID worsened a day after a hard workout.

Muscle worse one day onLeg-muscle biopsies before and one day after a maximal cycling test in long COVID

Leg-muscle biopsies were taken from people with long COVID and post-exertional malaise before and one day after a maximal cycling test, and compared with people fully recovered from mild COVID. Patients had more easily tired muscle fibers and weaker mitochondria (cells' power plants), and muscle damage (myopathy) and amyloid-containing deposits worsened after the exertion.

This points to a physical basis for post-exertional malaise: hard effort was followed by measurable muscle injury, which helps explain why long COVID rehab paces effort instead of pushing through. Small case-control study (25 patients, 21 recovered controls) of people selected for post-exertional malaise; the authors note some muscle differences could have been present before long COVID.

See the evidence

A longitudinal case-control study comparing 25 long COVID patients with 21 people fully recovered from mild COVID, using exercise tests and leg-muscle biopsies.

From the study: “severe exercise-induced myopathy and tissue infiltration of amyloid-containing deposits in skeletal muscles of patients with long COVID worsen after induction of post-exertional malaise”

Muscle worse one day on

Appelman B et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nature communications. 2024.

From the study: “we obtained vastus lateralis muscle biopsies before and one day after the induction of post-exertional malaise”

Muscle worse one day on

Appelman B et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nature communications. 2024.

From the study: “our data indicate that the lower exercise capacity in long COVID patients is associated with a greater proportion of high-fatigable glycolytic fibers and lower mitochondrial function”

Muscle worse one day on

Appelman B et al. Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nature communications. 2024.

07

Workouts raised long COVID fatigue no more than in healthy peers.

No extra fatigueChange after single workouts: long COVID patients with PEM vs matched healthy adults

Adults with long COVID and post-exertional malaise (symptoms that flare after effort) and matched healthy adults each did an interval, a steady and a strength workout in random order. Fatigue did not worsen more than in the healthy group, but muscle pain rose more after intervals and concentration trouble after steady exercise. 62% of patients had signs of muscle disease (myopathy).

It challenges the idea that every bout of exercise is off-limits with post-exertional malaise, yet pain and concentration still flared, which is why the authors call only for cautious exercise. Small randomized crossover trial in Sweden of 31 patients and 31 healthy controls without other diseases; each did only one closely monitored session of each exercise type.

See the evidence

A randomized crossover trial in Sweden, 2022 to 2023, of 31 never-hospitalized long COVID patients with post-exertional malaise and 31 matched healthy adults.

From the study: “There was no difference in fatigue worsening between patients with PCC and controls after any of the exercise types”

No extra fatigue

Tryfonos A et al. Functional Limitations and Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Post-COVID Condition: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial. JAMA network open. 2024.

From the study: “Patients with PCC had greater exacerbation of muscle pain after HIIT (mean [SD] VAS ranks, 33.4 [17.7] vs 25.0 [11.3]; P = .04) and reported more concentration difficulties after MICT”

No extra fatigue

Tryfonos A et al. Functional Limitations and Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Post-COVID Condition: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial. JAMA network open. 2024.

From the study: “18 of 29 (62%) showed signs of myopathy as determined by neurophysiologic testing”

No extra fatigue

Tryfonos A et al. Functional Limitations and Exercise Intolerance in Patients With Post-COVID Condition: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial. JAMA network open. 2024.

08

88% of previously employed hospital survivors were back at their jobs.

88% back at their jobPreviously employed hospital survivors back at their original work at 12 months

Among adults discharged from one Wuhan hospital early in the pandemic, 88% of those employed before COVID-19 had returned to their original work at 12 months. Symptoms eased: 49% still had at least one lingering symptom, down from 68% at 6 months. Not everything improved: breathlessness rose slightly, from 26% to 30%.

Even after a hospital stay for COVID, most working people got back to their own jobs within a year, though some did not and breathlessness lingered for others. Observational cohort from one Wuhan, China, hospital of people discharged January to May 2020; work status was self-reported at the 12-month visit.

See the evidence

A cohort study that re-examined 1,276 COVID survivors discharged from one Wuhan hospital at about 6 and 12 months after falling ill.

From the study: “88% (422/479) of patients who were employed before COVID-19 had returned to their original work at 12 months.”

88% back at their job

Huang L et al. 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet (London, England). 2021.

From the study: “The proportion of patients with at least one sequelae symptom decreased from 68% (831/1227) at 6 months to 49% (620/1272) at 12 months (p<0·0001).”

88% back at their job

Huang L et al. 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet (London, England). 2021.

From the study: “The proportion of patients with dyspnoea, characterised by mMRC score of 1 or more, slightly increased from 26% (313/1185) at 6-month visit to 30% (380/1271) at 12-month visit (p=0·014).”

88% back at their job

Huang L et al. 1-year outcomes in hospital survivors with COVID-19: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet (London, England). 2021.

Study-specific findings. Different populations, treatments and follow-up periods can produce different results.

Read all 7 study explanationsThe complete approved explanations, with study-specific limits and original results.
THE STUDIES IN THIS COLLECTION

Study explanations.

Approved learnings, including historical studies with no recorded addition date.

  1. STUDY 01Findings added
    TL;DR

    Exercise may ease fatigue and breathlessness; certainty varies

    Exercise training improved fatigue and breathlessness more than usual care in pooled randomized trials of people with Long COVID.

    Evidence certainty ranged from moderate to very low, with differing programs and populations. Symptom worsening after exertion was not consistently monitored or reported, and long-term follow-up was limited.

    Study details & original results

    Chen, Yi-Chun et al.. Exercise effectiveness on fatigue in Long-COVID: systematic review and meta-analysis.. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 2026.

    Exercise training versus usual care for Long-COVID fatigue severity, pooled across randomized trials; evidence certainty was moderate to very low.

    SMD -0.59; P = .002

    Exercise training versus usual care for Long-COVID dyspnea severity, pooled across randomized trials; evidence certainty was moderate to very low.

    SMD -0.89; P = .005

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  2. STUDY 02Findings added
    TL;DR

    Acupressure and Qigong showed no clear physical-function benefit

    Adding self-applied acupressure and online Qigong did not show a clear physical-function advantage, despite slightly greater improvement in fatigue as a secondary outcome.

    This randomized trial studied post-infectious fatigue with impaired physical function at 8 weeks, versus written self-care advice and routine care alone. Both groups received that advice and care. The physical-function interval includes no difference.

    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.

    Adjusted between-group difference 4.2 SF-36 PFS points; p=0.109
    95% CI: -0.9 to 9.4

    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

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  3. STUDY 03Findings added
    TL;DR

    Rehabilitation improved short-term walking and breathlessness

    Compared with usual care, rehabilitation improved short-term walking-test performance and reduced breathlessness and anxiety symptoms in people with Long COVID.

    This systematic review and meta-analysis reports short-term outcomes; these findings do not establish how long the benefits last.

    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 modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID

    MD -1.44
    95% CI: -2.72 to -0.16

    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

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  4. STUDY 04Findings added
    TL;DR

    Tele-rehabilitation eased symptoms without a clear mobility gain

    Adding tele-rehabilitation to usual care improved pain, health status, fatigue and breathlessness more than usual care alone, but did not establish a mobility advantage.

    The trial studied people with Long COVID in an 8-week program. The mobility interval includes no difference; symptom improvements and mobility are different measured outcomes.

    High adherence did not mean everyone could advance exercises

    The tele-rehabilitation program reported high adherence, yet 39% of intervention participants were unable to progress their exercises.

    This describes feasibility during the 8-week program for people with Long COVID, rather than a comparison with usual care or a measure of symptom benefit.

    Study details & original results

    Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania et al.. Tele-rehabilitation for individuals with long COVID: a randomised clinical trial.. ERJ open research. 2026.

    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

    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 health status with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

    MD 7.74
    95% CI: 1.05 to 14.43

    Greater improvement in fatigue with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

    MD -0.90
    95% CI: -1.78 to -0.02

    Greater improvement in dyspnoea with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

    MD 1.24
    95% CI: 0.10 to 2.37

    Citation in Rehabilitation

    Feasibility of the 8-week tele-rehabilitation program; high adherence was accompanied by a substantial proportion unable to progress their exercises.

    96% adherence; 39% unable to progress exercises

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  5. STUDY 05Findings added
    TL;DR

    Digital rehabilitation did not show added fatigue benefit

    No clear difference

    Fatigue improved across the trial groups, including usual care. Digital rehabilitation did not show an added fatigue benefit over usual care at 12 weeks.

    STIMULATE-ICP studied people with Long COVID. The reported interval includes no difference; improvement across groups is not a digital-rehabilitation-specific effect.

    Study details & original results

    STIMULATE-ICP Consortium. Integrated care pathway in individuals with Long COVID: STIMULATE-ICP, a cluster-randomized, phase 3 trial.. Nature medicine. 2026. [Source notice: Publisher correction dated 2026-07-31 corrected consortium affiliations.]

    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.

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  6. STUDY 06Date added unknown
    TL;DR

    Cognitive rehabilitation helped people reach their goals

    People with Long COVID-related thinking difficulties reached goals more successfully with cognitive rehabilitation than with treatment as usual.

    The randomized trial measured goal attainment at 3 months. A separate 6-month effect estimate was reported; its measured outcome and comparison group are unavailable in this summary.

    Study details & original results

    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 = 1.57
    95% CI: 2.03-3.73 (mean difference scale)

    Sustained effect size for cognitive rehabilitation at 6 months

    Cohen d = 0.91
    95% CI: 0.86-2.57 (mean difference scale)

    Citation in Rehabilitation
  7. STUDY 07Date added unknown
    TL;DR

    Pulmonary rehabilitation review reported function and quality-of-life gains

    The review reported improved walking-test and chair-rise performance with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation, and improved physical and mental quality of life in randomized trials.

    The review concerns people with Long COVID. The comparison group is not available in this summary, limiting interpretation of the reported improvements.

    Study details & original results

    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

    Improvement in 30-second sit-to-stand test with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation

    MD: 4.68
    95% CI 3.59-5.77

    Physical quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials

    MD: 8.04
    95% CI 3.02-13.05

    Mental quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials

    MD: 6.60
    95% CI 2.01-11.18

    Citation in Rehabilitation
7 of 7 study updates

Dates show when findings were added here, not when papers were published. Study populations and comparisons differ.

WHEN YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER
See all 22 findingsOriginal results, comparisons and study details.
7 of 7 source groupsFindings stay together with their study.
SOURCE 072 findings

Chen, Yi-Chun et al.. Exercise effectiveness on fatigue in Long-COVID: systematic review and meta-analysis.. Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 2026.

Exercise training versus usual care for Long-COVID fatigue severity, pooled across randomized trials; evidence certainty was moderate to very low.

Added
SMD -0.59; P = .002Source [7]

Exercise training versus usual care for Long-COVID dyspnea severity, pooled across randomized trials; evidence certainty was moderate to very low.

Added
SMD -0.89; P = .005Source [7]
SOURCE 063 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.

Added
Adjusted between-group difference 4.2 SF-36 PFS points; p=0.10995% CI: -0.9 to 9.4Source [6]

A favorable but statistically nonsignificant trend was observed for achieving at least a 10-point improvement in SF-36 physical functioning.

Added
OR 1.69; 58.9% vs. 46.3% responders; p=0.05895% CI: 0.98 to 2.92Source [6]
All 3 findings from this source

As a secondary outcome, fatigue improved slightly more with acupressure and Qigong than with the control condition at 8 weeks.

Added
Week-8 mean Chalder Fatigue Scale score 21.4 vs. 23.2; p=0.040Intervention: 95% CI 20.2-22.6; control: 95% CI 22.0-24.3Source [6]
SOURCE 046 findings

Janaudis-Ferreira, Tania et al.. Tele-rehabilitation for individuals with long COVID: a randomised clinical trial.. ERJ open research. 2026.

No significant between-group difference in AM-PAC mobility after 8-week tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

Added
MD 0.6195% CI: -0.91 to 2.13Source [4]

Greater improvement in EQ-5D-5L pain with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

Added
MD -0.3695% CI: -0.70 to -0.03Source [4]
All 6 findings from this source

Greater improvement in health status with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

Added
MD 7.7495% CI: 1.05 to 14.43Source [4]

Greater improvement in fatigue with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

Added
MD -0.9095% CI: -1.78 to -0.02Source [4]

Greater improvement in dyspnoea with tele-rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care.

Added
MD 1.2495% CI: 0.10 to 2.37Source [4]

Feasibility of the 8-week tele-rehabilitation program; high adherence was accompanied by a substantial proportion unable to progress their exercises.

Added
96% adherence; 39% unable to progress exercisesSource [4]
SOURCE 053 findings

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

Added
MD 102.34 m; p<0.000195% CI: 44.48-160.21 mSource [5]

Short-term reduction in modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID

Added
MD -1.4495% CI: -2.72 to -0.16Source [5]
All 3 findings from this source

Short-term reduction in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale anxiety symptoms with rehabilitation compared with usual care in people with long COVID

Added
MD -1.64; p=0.0295% CI: -3.02 to -0.26Source [5]
SOURCE 032 findings

STIMULATE-ICP Consortium. Integrated care pathway in individuals with Long COVID: STIMULATE-ICP, a cluster-randomized, phase 3 trial.. Nature medicine. 2026. [Source notice: Publisher correction dated 2026-07-31 corrected consortium affiliations.]

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 [3]

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 [3]
SOURCE 012 findings

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 [1]

Sustained effect size for cognitive rehabilitation at 6 months

Cohen d = 0.9195% CI: 0.86-2.57 (mean difference scale)Source [1]
SOURCE 024 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.

Improvement in functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test) with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation

MD: 53.72 m95% CI 43.69-63.75Source [2]

Physical quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials

MD: 8.0495% CI 3.02-13.05Source [2]
All 4 findings from this source

Mental quality of life improvement with pulmonary rehabilitation in randomized controlled trials

MD: 6.6095% CI 2.01-11.18Source [2]

Improvement in 30-second sit-to-stand test with outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation

MD: 4.6895% CI 3.59-5.77Source [2]
Browse the 14 original sourcesThe complete bibliography behind this monitor.
  1. [1]

    Vanova, Martina et al.. Cognitive Rehabilitation and Functional Outcomes in Long COVID-Related Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.. JAMA network open. 2026.

    Open original source in a new tab
  2. [2]

    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.

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