The Effects of a Multi-factorial Rehabilitation Program for Healthcare Workers Suffering From Post-COVID-19 Fatigue Syndrome

Measurement of VO2max during an exhaustive CPET is the gold standard for objectifying cardiopulmonary performance and detecting any cardiovascular risks under stress. VO2max will be measured in ml/kg bodyweight.This examination is the gold standard for objectifying cardiopulmonary performance and detecting any cardiovascular risks under stress.

The 6MWT is used, among other things, to assess and control cardiovascular and pulmonary performance below the anaerobic threshold. This test is used for the clinical evaluation of the basic motor property endurance and measures the distance a patient can walk as quickly as possible on a flat, hard surface in a period of 6 minutes. It will be measured in meters.

The 30seconds Sit-to-Stand test is a well-established functional test used to estimate the strength endurance of the lower extremities and describes how often the test person can get up from a chair and sit down again in a period of 30 seconds. In patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the 30seconds sit-to-stand test has proven to be a valid and reliable parameter.

BiA is a non-invasive method for measuring body composition and serves as a basis for assessing metabolic disease risks among others by measuring body fat in absolute (kg) numbers.

BiA is a non-invasive method for measuring body composition and serves as a basis for assessing metabolic disease risks among others by measuring body fat in relative (%) numbers.

BiA is a non-invasive method for measuring body composition and serves as a basis for assessing metabolic disease risks among others by measuring lean body mass in absolute (kg) numbers.

BiA is a non-invasive method for measuring body composition and serves as a basis for assessing metabolic disease risks among others by measuring lean body mass in relative (%) numbers.

The GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7) is a module of the health questionnaire for patients (PHQ-D), which was designed to identify patients with generalized anxiety disorder and to record the severity of symptoms of generalized anxiety (7 items). Scores range from 0 to 21 points with low scores representing low general anxiety and high scores representing high general anxiety.

The questionnaire PHQ-9 corresponds to the depression module of the health questionnaire for patients (PHQ-D). It was developed as a screening instrument for the diagnosis of depression for routine use in the somatic medical field (9 items). Scores range from 0 to 27 points with low scores representing low levels of depression and high scores representing high levels of depression.

The PSS-10 measures the subjective experience of stress. It records the dimensions of self-efficacy and helplessness in two scales, as well as an overall stress score (10 items). Scores range from 0 to 50 points with low scores representing low stress levels and high scores representing high stress levels.

The BFI measures the severity and extent of fatigue. The questionnaire covers six dimensions: activity, mood, ability to walk, work, relationship with other people and joie de vivre (10 items). Scores range from 0 to 10 points with low scores representing low fatigue and high scores representing high fatigue.

The Brief Resilience Scale measures resilience, the ability to successfully cope with difficult, stressful situations or to recover quickly from them (6 items). Scores range from 1 to 5 points with low scores representing low resilience and high scores representing high resilience.

Data on the fist force in kg (measurement of the basic motor property force), which are collected using a JAMAR® dynamometer.

The Post-COVID-19 Functional Scale is a questionnaire for self-assessment of physical and functional limitations after a COVID-19 infection. It ranges from 0 (no functional impairment) to 4 (severe functional impairments).

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a measuring instrument for recording the work ability of employees. The WAI is a questionnaire that is filled out either by the respondents themselves or by third parties, e.g. company doctors during the company medical examination. The WAI is predictive of reintegration into working life after workplace-specific rehabilitation against back pain. WAI scores range from 7-27 (poor), over 28-36 (moderate), and 37 to 43 (good) to 44-49 (very good).

TnT (0 - 14 ng/L) is a heart-specific and very sensitive marker for myocardial damage in case of elevated values

BNP (0 - 125 pg/ml) is increased in cardiac insufficiency and increased volume load on the heart

CK-MB (< 24 U/l) are elevated in cardiac muscle diseases e.g. myocardial infarction, myocarditis, ischemic conditions e.g. angina pectoris, or for the differential diagnosis of muscle diseases

CRP (< 0,5 mg/dl) is an "acute phase protein" which increases in infections (bacterial, less viral and fungi), inflammation, post-OP, malignant processes; ultra-sensitive CRP is additionally a risk assessment marker of aterosclerosis

IL-6 (<= 7 pg/mL) is a mediator of the immune system and elevated in inflammatory processes

Cholesterol (< 200 mg/dL) is a risk factor for early atherosclerosis

Triglycerides (< 150 mg/dl) increased in primary hyperlipidemia as a risk faktor for cardiovascular diseases

Spare time physical activity is a key indicator for physical function and will be measured via activity tracker

Spare time physical activity is a key indicator for physical function and will be measured via activity tracker

Spare time physical activity is a key indicator for physical function and will be measured via activity tracker

A low average heart rate during activities of daily living is an indicator for a relatively low cardiovascular load

A low maximum heart rate during activities of daily living is an indicator for a relatively lower level of cardiovascular load

A high oxygen saturation is an indicator for a well functioning gas exchange in the lungs and distribution into the circulatory system

The MoCA test is a screening instrument for Mild Cognitive Impairment. It assesses different cognitive domains: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructional skills, conceptual thinking, calculations, and orientation.

The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is a brief self-report instrument measuring the patient's perception of both nocturnal and diurnal symptoms of insomnia.

Carboxy-terminal type I collagen (CTX-1; 0.003-0.44 ng/ml) is a marker of bone resorption.

Procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP; 20-92 ng/ml) is an early marker of bone formation.

Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) is used to detect minor changes in bone turnover.

Osteocalcin (Oc; 11-46 ng/ml) is a late marker of bone formation.

25-OH-vitamin D (75-250 nmol/l) is the precursor for calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D which is essential for calcium metabolism

Parathyroid hormone (PTH; 15-65 pg/ml) regulates the serum calcium concentration through its effects on bone, kidney, and intestine.