Long COVID study participants report promising results to tailored exercise program

The PERCEIVE study by Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is returning positive results around health outcome improvements and increases in exercise capacity for participants.

The PERCEIVE study is aimed at investigating how exercise might be able to help improve symptoms for those suffering from long COVID. The Cardihab digital health solution SmartCR is currently in use in this study.

Many of those living with long COVID suffer from compromised exercise capacity, and in some instances periods of depression.

The pilot study has found that tailored exercise programs can be effective for those with a reduced capacity for exercise as a result of their condition, with reports of a 15 per cent increase in the amount of exercise participants were able to do.

Cardiologist and principal PERCEIVE study investigator Prof Tom Marwick is encouraged by the results.

 

"It's not a cure for all of the symptoms of long COVID but there are people who get significant benefit from this, and what we best need to understand is who is it that most benefits and how best to deliver it for them."

 

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If you are interested in participating in the study, or would like to learn more click here.

 

Cardihab powered PERCEIVE study into the effects of long COVID gains national attention

The PERCEIVE study—run by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and powered by Cardihab— looks to understand whether COVID-19 causes damage to the heart and impacts functional capacity.  It also aims to understand if best practice management (e.g. heart medication or exercise training) can restore function.

As reported on 9 News, recent outcomes of the study have shown that the significant reduction in capacity following a bout of COVID-19 is likely due to deconditioning, rather than structural heart damage, and therefore exercise rehabilitation is a recommended course of treatment.

While findings to date have provided valuable insights into the long term effects of COVID, researchers are keen to broaden the study and are inviting further participants to join. 

Interested parties who have had COVID-19 and are over the age of 45 are invited to participate in the six month study with screening appointments available at specialist clinics in Melbourne and Hobart, as well as Sydney in the coming months.