REGAIN Study: Rehabilitation exercise and psychological support after COVID-19 infection
Study Overview
‘Post-covid-19 condition’ (long-covid) has many unpleasant symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, pain, low fitness, and poor emotional wellbeing. For most people, these problems will get better on their own, but for some people, they may continue for a long time after leaving hospital.
The REGAIN study was a randomised controlled trial that aimed to find out which of two treatments is better for helping people recover after being in hospital with COVID-19. People taking part were randomly allocated (by chance) to one of the following:
- A single online session of exercise advice and support
- An 8 week online exercise and support programme
People taking part were asked to complete questionnaires four times over 12 months. The questionnaires measured how they were feeling physically and mentally. The research also measured if the REGAIN programme was good value for money and if people had a good experience.
Study Results
This animation explains more about the study and its findings:
Key Study Findings:
- At 3 and 12 months, quality of life for people in the REGAIN group was much better than for people in the advice group. People were much less fatigued, and their mental health was better after taking part.
- The REGAIN programme was safe, and people enjoyed it and found value in taking part.
- The programme was also good value for money for the NHS.
- See Study Summary & Results for more details
Chief Investigator: Professor Gordon McGregor
Sponsor: University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire
Enquiries:
Funder: National Institute for Health Research, Cross programme, NIHR132046
ISRCTN Registry: 11466448