Interprofessional Rehabilitation for Patients With Post-COVID Condition

NCT07821385 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 222333
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Since 2020, millions of individuals have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus and a substantial proportion continue to experience persistent symptoms that impair functional capacity, limit daily activities, and negatively affect quality of life. The terminology and definitions surrounding this condition remain diverse, such as long COVID, post-COVID-19 syndrome or ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 . In October 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the term post-COVID condition (PCC) through a Delphi consensus process defined as: "As the persistence or onset of new symptoms three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms lasting for at least two months and not explained by alternative diagnoses". PCC is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, most commonly fatigue, cognitive impairments, muscle weakness, respiratory and cardiac symptoms, and pain often occurring alongside anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Research shows that PCC markedly impairs activities of daily living (ADL), work ability, and overall functioning. Qualitative studies further demonstrate that the combination of physical and cognitive symptoms limits individuals' ability to engage in everyday occupations and reduce work capacity. Consequently, PCC is associated with difficulties in maintaining employment, often resulting in prolonged sick leave, reduced working hours, or the need for workplace accommodations. Given the heterogeneous nature of PCC, its impact on everyday life varies between individuals, highlighting the importance of understanding patients´ own experiences and priorities when planning rehabilitation interventions. Global efforts have focused on understanding and managing PCC, with rehabilitation emerging as a central strategy. Rehabilitation strategies seem to be a key intervention for improving fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbances, and decrease overall well-being; however, current evidence is heterogeneous and insufficient to establish standardized interventions. A lack of research on PCC patients would lead to profound consequences for both patients and society. Without such knowledge, patients' risk of being misdiagnosed or receiving inadequate care, rehabilitation efforts may be ineffective, and healthcare systems will struggle to allocate resources properly. This increases long-term disability, reduces work ability, and places an avoidable burden on individuals and society. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the scope and nature of PCC is essential for understanding this patient group better, developing effective rehabilitation approaches and informing public health policy. The goal of this observational study is to learn more about the impact of post-COVID condition (PCC) on individuals' everyday occupational performance, cognitive functioning, perceived health, and life satisfaction, with the aim of understanding these patient groups better, and to generate evidence to guide rehabilitation strategies. The research focuses on patients diagnosed with post-COVID condition who are receiving an interprofessional rehabilitation program at a specialized Rehabilitation Clinic in Sweden, Danderyds Hospital, The main questions aim to answer are:

• Which activities do individuals with PCC identify as most important to improve, and how do they rate these activities in terms of performance and satisfaction?
• How do individuals with PCC rate their overall health and occupational performance before and after participating in an interprofessional rehabilitation program?

Conditions

PostCovid

Keywords

Rehabilitation, Everyday occupations, Health, Life Satisfaction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

  The COPM assesses an individual's perceived occupational performance in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. Semi-structured interview format and structured scoring method. The person rates/ describes which activities are important for them and after that satisfaction. The person rates importance, performance and satisfaction

  Before, after and at six months follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• EQ5D

  Before, after and at six month follow-up

• HADS

  Before, after and six month follow-up

• Rand-36

  Before, after and a six months follow-up

• MFI-20

  Before, after and at six months follow-up

• ISI

  Before, after and at six month follow-up

Study Arms (1)

Patients with Post-COVID condition

The study aims to investigate a cohort of patients with post COVID condition whose primary symptoms are cognitive impairment and fatigue. The patients have undergone a comprehensive assessment by a multiprofessional team and have been deemed both to require and to be capable of participating in an on site interprofessional rehabilitation program conducted one day per week.

Other: Interprofessional cognitive group rehabilitation

Interventions

Interprofessional cognitive group rehabilitation OTHER

The Interprofessional rehabilitation program (IPR) was delivered in a group format, one half day per week over 10 weeks. The interprofessional team comprised an occupational therapist, psychologist, physiotherapist, physician, and social worker. All patients underwent an initial team assessment to determine eligibility for the IRP. Based on this assessment; an individualized rehabilitation plan was developed prior to program initiation. The IPR included lectures, group discussions, and physical activity, with the overall goal of improving daily functioning and facilitating return to work when applicable.

Patients with Post-COVID condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients aged 18-65 with persistent cognitive symptoms and fatigue following confirmed or strongly suspected COVID-19 infection, who have undergone assessment at the Cognitive Post-COVID Clinic at Danderyd Hospital and subsequently completed a team evaluation prior to participation in interdisciplinary rehabilitation. During the assessment, it is determined whether the patient needs and can benefit from rehabilitation.

You may qualify if:

• Individuals aged 18 and older with confirmed COVID-19 or with a very likely prior COVID-19 infection.
• Newly developed cognitive impairments or cognitive fatigue.
• A clear temporal link between COVID-19 onset and symptom onset, with symptoms affecting return to previous activities/occupation.
• The acute phase of illness ended at least 3 months earlier.
• Basic investigations for specific differential diagnoses must have been completed at the initial clinic visit, according to "COVID-19 - persistent symptoms" (see viss.nu), excluding anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and alcohol overconsumption. Assessment for depression.
• Medication review and relevant adjustments carried out with regard to the patient's symptoms

You may not qualify if:

• Predominant recurrent and/or fluctuating infectious symptoms, circulatory, respiratory, or cardiac problems.
• Other symptoms due to organ failure that should primarily be managed by an organ specialist.
• Severe psychiatric illness, including depression with pronounced cognitive symptoms.
• Cognitive impairments primarily related to neurodegenerative disease or substance misuse, e.g., alcohol-related dementia, Korsakoff's dementia, or other dementia disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Danderyd Hospital: lead
• Karolinska Institutet: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Department of Rehabilitaiton Medicine Stockholm

Stockholm, 18288, Sweden

Location

Related Publications (26)

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Related Links

• World Health Organisation fact sheet about post-covid-19 and the latest research.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Personal Satisfaction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Monika Löfgren, Assoc Prof

  Karolinska Institutet

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 3 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2026
• First Posted: September 15, 2026
• Study Start: August 20, 2021
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: January 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SE (1)