Baduanjin exercise for patients with chronic fatigue after COVID-19

Efficacy of Baduanjin Exercise in COVID-19 Contraction Patients With Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue

This study is testing whether Baduanjin exercise can help people aged 18 to 50 who are dealing with chronic fatigue after COVID-19 feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo)
• Trial ID: NCT06829940 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of Baduanjin exercise training (BET) on patients suffering from chronic COVID-19 syndrome, specifically those with idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF). A total of 40 participants aged 18 to 50 will be randomly assigned to either a study group, which will undergo supervised BET sessions for 12 weeks, or a control group that will be placed on a waitlist. The study aims to assess improvements in symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and overall quality of life. The methodology includes daily exercise sessions, excluding Fridays, to evaluate the efficacy of this traditional Chinese exercise in enhancing recovery from post-COVID fatigue.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 50 who have been diagnosed with idiopathic chronic fatigue lasting over six months following COVID-19.

Not a fit: Patients who have received any medical or complementary treatments for chronic fatigue in the six months prior to or after contracting COVID-19 may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the quality of life and functional capacity of patients suffering from chronic fatigue after COVID-19.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific application of Baduanjin exercise for chronic COVID-19 syndrome is novel, similar approaches using traditional exercises for chronic fatigue have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* • 40 patients will be recruited in the study.

  * age ≥ 18 to ≤ 50 years old
  * achieved three diagnostic items/criteria of ICF will be included in this BET trial: Fatigue lasting over 6 months, which significantly limits daily activities, reducing the person's usual activity level by more than 50%, as confirmed by a doctor.

At least three of the following symptoms:

Generalized muscle weakness Difficulty sleeping Frequent headaches A painful throat Muscle tenderness throughout the body Migratory joint pain Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits Fatigue lasting more than a day after typical activities

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of medical or complementary treatments for ICF disorder in the 6 months before contracting COVID or after recovery.
* Individuals who have engaged in therapeutic exercise, pharmacological treatments, or complementary therapies for post-COVID symptoms within the last six months prior to enrollment.
* ICF patients regularly using antidepressants or antipsychotics were excluded.
* Those who take sleeping pills regularly were also excluded.
* Patients with autoimmune diseases, malignant conditions, anemia, endocrine disorders, systemic diseases, or osteoarthritis affecting the cervical spine, lumbar region, or limbs were excluded.
* Individuals with abnormal results in laboratory tests, including neurological, neurophysiological, cardiological, liver/kidney function tests, or urine/stool analyses (as determined by a physician) were excluded.

Where this trial is running

Cairo

• Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Alaa El-moatasem, lecturer — Cairo University
• Study coordinator: Alaa El-moatasem, lecturer

Conditions Chronic COVID-19 Syndrome