Outreach medical care for housebound adults with Post-COVID syndrome or ME/CFS
OutreAch MediCal Care for HousEbound Patients With Post-COVID-19 Syndrome or ME/CFS of Any Cause
This project will try home visits and remote assessments to learn the symptoms and care needs of adults who are housebound with Post‑COVID syndrome or ME/CFS.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 69 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hannover Medical School Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hanover) |
| Trial ID | NCT07352254 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project deploys a multidisciplinary outreach program combining home visits and telemedicine to characterize clinical features and needs of housebound patients with Post‑COVID syndrome or ME/CFS. Specialists in internal medicine, neurology, and psychosomatic medicine will perform standardized histories, physical and mental assessments, and caregivers will be interviewed. Patients are recruited via primary care physicians, patient groups, social media, and post‑COVID outpatient clinics, and existing diagnostic data will be reviewed to identify mimics. The goal is to generate prevalence estimates and a structured care approach that could be integrated into routine services if effective.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–70 who meet the Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS, have a Bell Score ≤30, and experience post‑exertional malaise lasting more than 14 hours are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with pre‑existing conditions that limit mobility or mental capacity (for example major central nervous system diseases), those under 18 or over 70, or patients who can readily attend clinics are unlikely to benefit from this outreach program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could expand access to specialist diagnosis and tailored care for severely affected housebound patients and support routine implementation of outreach services.
How similar studies have performed: Home‑based assessments for other chronic conditions have shown benefit, but targeted outreach specifically for housebound Post‑COVID/ME/CFS patients is relatively novel and under‑studied.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * ME/CFS according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria * Bell Score ≤ 30 * Duration of the postexertional malaise (PEM) \> 14 hours * Age \> 18 years and \< 70 Exclusion Criteria: \- Pre-existing conditions or comorbidities that have (or could have) led to a restriction of mobility or mental capacity, such as various diseases of the central nervous system.
Where this trial is running
Hanover
- Hannover Medical School — Hanover, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Meike Dirks, MD — Hannover Medical School
- Study coordinator: Meike Dirks, MD
- Email: access-patienten@mh-hannover.de
- Phone: +495115323145
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.