Skip to content

Effectiveness of Exercise and Physical Activity in Individuals.

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

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07000331
Enrollment
41
Registered
2025-06-02
Start date
2023-02-16
Completion date
2024-12-30
Last updated
2025-06-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

COVID-19

Keywords

physical activity, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life

Brief summary

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.

Detailed description

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.

Interventions

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.

OTHERPhysical activity counseling

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.

Sponsors

Gulsah Bargi
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

Single-blind study; the participants were not informed about whether they were in the study group or control group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Daily step countsBaseline, at the end of everyday during 4-week and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationDaily average step counts were recorded via a pedometer.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Anxiety scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.
Dyspnea scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.
Depression scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.
Fatigue scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.
Quality of life scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.
Pain scoreBaseline and at 4 weeks after baseline evaluationThe 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.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026