Who took part in the study?

Between January 2021 and July 2022, 585 people in the UK with long-covid agreed to take part. 52% of people taking part were female and the average age was 56 years.

What treatments or interventions did the participants take / receive?

Half of the study participants (298 people) were allocated (by chance) to complete an 8-week online rehabilitation programme (REGAIN). The other half had a one-off 30-min advice appointment (287 people).

What happened during the study?

We asked people to complete questionnaires four times over 12 months. The questionnaires measured how they were feeling physically and mentally.

Primary Outcome: PROMIS^®29+2 Profile v2.1 (PROPr) at three months post-randomisation

We also measured if the REGAIN programme was good value for money and if people had a good experience.

What were the results of the study?

At three 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.

How has this study helped patients and researchers?

For people with long-covid who were in hospital with covid-19, taking part in the REGAIN programme could be part of their treatment as it can help improve quality of life. Healthcare teams should consider offering the REGAIN programme as it is good value for money.