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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06404047

RECOVER-ENERGIZE Platform Protocol

This is a platform protocol designed to be flexible so that it is suitable for a range of interventions and settings within diverse health care systems and community settings with incorporation into clinical COVID-19 management programs and treatment plans if results achieve key study outcomes.

This protocol is a prospective, multi-center, multi-arm, randomized, controlled platform trial evaluating interventions to address and improve exercise intolerance and post-exertional malaise (PEM) as manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC).

The focus of this protocol is to assess interventions that can improve exercise capacity, daily activities tolerance, and quality of life in patients with PASC.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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About this study

Study interventions will be added to the platform protocol as appendices. Each appendix will leverage all elements of the platform protocol, with additional elements described in the individual appendix. Study intervention appendices may be added or removed according to adaptive design and/or emerging evidence.

The platform protocol enrolls participants who meet study eligibility criteria. After completing initial screening assessments, eligible participants are assigned to one of the study intervention appendices that are actively enrolling. Participants must meet certain criteria within a specific appendix in order to be included in that appendix. Once assigned to an appendix, eligible participants are randomized to either the study intervention group or a control group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • ≥ 18 years of age at the time of enrollment
  • Previous suspected, probable, or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, as defined by the Pan American Health Organization*
  • Suspected* or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection will only be allowed if it occurred before May 1, 2021, and will be limited to no more than 10% of the study population. Otherwise, confirmed cases are required.

Suspected case of SARS-CoV-2 infection - Three options, A through C:

A. A person who meets the clinical OR epidemiological criteria. Clinical criteria: Acute onset of fever AND cough (influenza-like illness) OR Acute onset of ANY THREE OR MORE of the following signs or symptoms: fever, cough, general, weakness/fatigue, headache, myalgia, sore throat, coryza, dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia. Epidemiological criteria: Contact of a probable or confirmed case or linked to a COVID-19 cluster; or B. Acute respiratory infection with history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38°C; and cough; with onset within the last 10 days; and who requires hospitalization; or C. With no clinical signs or symptoms, NOR meeting epidemiologic criteria with a positive professional use or self-test SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Rapid Diagnostic Test.

Probable case of SARS-CoV-2 infection:

A. A patient who meets clinical criteria above AND is a contact of a probable or confirmed case or is linked to a COVID-19 cluster.

Confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection - Two options, A and B:

A. A person with a positive nucleic acid amplification test, regardless of clinical criteria OR epidemiological criteria; or B. Meeting clinical criteria AND/OR epidemiological criteria (See suspected case A above for criteria). With a positive professional use or self-test SARS- CoV-2 Antigen-Rapid Diagnostic Test.

  • Self-reported limitation to physical activity due to the presence of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and/or PEM following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, that has persisted for at least 12 weeks and is present at the time of consent.
  • Willing, able, and agree to provide informed consent, complete questionnaires and outcome assessments, and participate in the study, including assigned intervention or control and study visits whether remote, hybrid, or in-person.

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  • Known active acute SARS-CoV-2 infection ≤ 4 weeks prior to the consent.
  • Known prior diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), not related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Current or recent use (within the last 14 days) of a formal program utilizing one or more of the current study intervention(s) or similar intervention(s) to treat the underlying condition, unless a washout period is permitted per Appendices.
  • Participation in another interventional clinical trial.
  • Any condition that would make the participant, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study.

Treatment and study plan

Personalized Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

Behavioral

Participants in this group will complete 2-3 cardiopulmonary rehabilitation sessions per week, for 12 weeks, as tolerated. Rehabilitation sessions are provided by respiratory therapists, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, nurses, or others who have experience and training in either pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation sessions (adjusted based on the participant's baseline assessment, symptoms, and progress) last about 1 hour and include education, aerobic exercise, strength, and flexibility training.

Structured Pacing

Behavioral

Participants in this group will complete weekly pacing sessions for 12 weeks. Pacing sessions will last about 30 minutes, as tolerated. Each participant will meet with a provider 'pacing coach' who has received study-specific education about PEM and how to create and manage pacing strategies for participants. Sessions include PEM symptom and trigger assessment; task, function and activity analysis; adaptations and modifications.

Education

Other

Participants in this group will receive two general education sessions at the start of the intervention with weekly phone/virtual follow-ups from site study staff.

Usual Care

Other

Participants in this group will receive basic education about PEM with a weekly call by site study staff for support and communication.

Primary outcomes

  1. Total number of participants enrolled in each Appendix

    Time frame: 6 months

    Total number of participants enrolled in each Appendix will be reported. Appendix-specific outcome measure data will be reported under the associated NCT#

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Duke University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Registry information

Official study title

RECOVER-ENERGIZE: A Platform Protocol for Evaluation of Interventions for Exercise Intolerance in Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC)

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 8, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 14, 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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