Effectiveness of a telerehabilitation intervention using Recovery APP of Long COVID patients: A randomized, three-month follow-up clinical trial

Abstract Background: Long COVID pathology affects patient quality of life. Different telerehabilitation (TR) strategies are being implemented to improve post-COVID symptoms. The main objective of this study is to analyze the efficacy of the ReCoVery Application (APP) over a three-month period. A second objective is to identify significant models associated with improvement. Methods: An open-label and randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted, using two parallel groups. A total of one hundred Long COVID patients participated in the study. Quality of life was the main variable examined. A statistical comparison of pre-three-month groups was made using T-student and chi-square, and linear regressions were performed to analyze the profile of those patients who improved. Results: Adherence to the ReCoVery APP was low, and was not significantly more effective as compared to no intervention. However, the time of use of the ReCoVery APP, an increase in the self-efficacy construct and health literacy could contribute to the recovery of Long COVID patients. Conclusion: It is necessary to improve Long COVID patient adherence to TR. Furthermore, future RCTs are still needed to assess the efficacy of TR in these patients.