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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07000331

Effectiveness of Exercise and Physical Activity in Individuals.

The effects of breathing exercises and physical activity counseling applied for 4 weeks on the number of daily steps, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, mood and quality of life in individuals who have just had COVID-19 are not yet known. For this reason, it was aimed to investigate in this study.

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Key information

Conditions

COVID-19 Anxiety Disorders Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Depression Dyspnea Fatigue Infections Lung Diseases Mental Disorders Motor Activity Neurologic Manifestations Nidovirales Infections Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral RNA Virus Infections Respiration Disorders Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Izmir Democracy University

Izmir, 35140, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

In the COVID-19 pandemic, which deepened the physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, the severity and mortality effect of the virus on humans has decreased today. On the other hand, some symptoms may continue to be seen after recovery in individuals who survived COVID-19. It is known that regular physical activities increase immunity and quality of life, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and support the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. This study aimed to search effects of breathing exercises and physical activity counseling on the step counts, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, mood and quality of life in individuals with post-COVID-19.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult individuals aged 18 and over who volunteered to participate in the research
  • Individuals who can understand and answer surveys
  • Compatible individuals who can perform exercises and have good cooperation.
  • Individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19 (individuals with a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, compatible with COVID-19 infection as a result of lung X-ray or lung tomography despite negative PCR test results) and discharged after recovery/home quarantine completed

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals newly diagnosed with COVID-19, therefore in quarantine at home or receiving treatment in hospital
  • Individuals with suspected COVID-19
  • Pregnant women
  • Individuals with serious psychiatric illness and therefore unable to adapt to exercise sessions
  • Individuals with severe cognitive impairment
  • Individuals with ongoing orthopedic, neurological, cardiovascular disorders and/or problems which are independent of COVID-19

Treatment and study plan

Thoracic expansion exercises

Other

Individuals placed their hands on their lower ribs and then took 3 deep breaths under their hands in a row. After this cycle, individuals rested by taking 3-4 calm breaths. The cycle was repeated 10 times. The individual did this session 4 times a day.

Physical activity counseling

Other

Individuals were given weekly group phone calls and meetings. Individuals were gradually accustomed to regular walking to increase their daily step count. In the first week, individuals were asked to walk a total of 30-45 minutes per day, at least 4-5 days per week, and to increase the number of steps measured at the beginning by approximately 1000-2000 steps per day to reach at least 6500 steps. In the second week, the expected goal was at least 7500 steps. In the third and fourth weeks, they were asked to reach at least 10000 steps.

Primary outcomes

  1. Daily step counts

    Time frame: Baseline, at the end of everyday during 4-week and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    Daily average step counts were recorded via a pedometer.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anxiety score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 21, with higher scores indicating increased anxiety.

  2. Depression score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 21, with higher scores indicating increased anxiety.

  3. Dyspnea score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 4; higher scores indicate increased dyspnea.

  4. Pain score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Numerical Rating Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 10, with higher scores indicating increased pain.

  5. Fatigue score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Numerical Rating Scale.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 10, with higher scores indicating increased fatigue.

  6. Quality of life score

    Time frame: Baseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluation

    The score was obtained from Short-Form (SF)-36 Quality of life Questionnaire.The lowest score on this scale is 0 and the highest is 100, with higher scores indicating higher quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Gulsah Bargi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Breathing Exercises and Physical Activity Counseling in Individuals Who Have Had COVID-19.

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jun 2, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 4, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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