Effectiveness of Exercise and Physical Activity in Individuals.

NCT ID: NCT07000331

Last Updated: 2025-06-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 41 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-02-16
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-30

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.

Conditions

COVID-19

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Study group

The individuals in the study group were given thoracic expansion exercises and physical activity counseling.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Thoracic expansion exercises

Intervention Type: 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

Intervention Type: 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.

Control group

Individuals in this group continued their normal daily living activities and were followed up only with follow-up.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Thoracic expansion exercises

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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Physical 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.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Gulsah Bargi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Gulsah Bargi

Principle investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

GÜLŞAH BARĞI, Assoc. Dr.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Izmir Democracy University

SENA UYGUNLAR

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

GÜLCAN POLAT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

DİLAN SU AKTAŞ

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

UĞUR CANBULAT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Izmir Democracy University

Locations

Izmir Democracy University

Izmir, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Wang TJ, Chau B, Lui M, Lam GT, Lin N, Humbert S. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COVID-19. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Sep;99(9):769-774. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001505.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 32541352 (View on PubMed)

Amini H, Isanejad A, Chamani N, Movahedi-Fard F, Salimi F, Moezi M, Habibi S. Physical activity during COVID-19 pandemic in the Iranian population: A brief report. Heliyon. 2020 Nov;6(11):e05411. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05411. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 33163638 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Exercise in post-COVID-19

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id