Abstract:
Previous research has categorised symptoms of COVID-19 / Long COVID into 12 thematic areas including: fever, myalgia, fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and that COVID-19 survivors had reduced levels of physical function, activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life.
Our aim was to review the evidence for interventions or best practice to support people with Long COVID, or similar post-viral conditions characterised by fatigue, to return to normal activities.
Evidence was included from guidelines, systematic reviews (SR), and primary studies. The primary studies focussed on Long COVID (LC) indicated that there should be a needs-based focus to care for those with LC.
Consideration should be given to individuals living with LC in the same way as people with disabilities are accommodated in terms of workplace adjustment.
Two SRs indicated that non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for patients with LC or chronic fatigue syndrome could help improve function for activities of daily life. However, the third, most recent SR, concluded that there is a lack of robust evidence for NPIs.
LC fatigue management methods may be beneficial under certain conditions. One SR reported work capability as an outcome however they did not find any studies which evaluated the impact of interventions on return to work/ normal life.
One primary study, on individuals with CFS, described a written self-management programme. Following this intervention there was an 18% increase in the number of patients in employment.
Policy and practice implications: Long COVID is still being established as a post-viral condition with many symptoms. Patient-centred treatment options such as occupational therapy, self-management therapy and talking therapy may be considered in the same way as for other debilitating conditions. Return-to-work accommodations are needed for all workers unable to return to full-time employment.
Due to the nature of the studies included, there was little reported evidence of effectiveness of getting individuals back into their normal activities.
Source: Llinos Haf Spencer, Annie Hendry, Abraham Makanjuola, Bethany F Anthony, Jacob Davies, Kalpa Pisavadia, Dyfrig Hughes, Deb Fitzsimmons, Clare Wilkinson, Rhiannon Tudor Edwards, Ruth Lewis, Alison Cooper, Adrian Edwards. What interventions or best practice are there to support people with Long COVID, or similar post-viral conditions or conditions characterised by fatigue, to return to normal activities: a rapid review. medRxiv 2023.01.24.23284947; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.24.23284947 (Full text)