Qigong for Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Long COVID
• Interventions: Behavioral: External Qigong

• Registration Number: NCT05675995
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to conduct a pilot feasibility study of external qigong on health-related quality of life in individuals with prolonged symptoms following COVID-19 infection.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine whether external qigong, a traditional Chinese medicine healing practice, improves quality of life and symptoms for individuals with prolonged symptoms following a COVID-19 infection (sometimes called "long COVID"). The study involves completing questionnaires and participating in 6 weekly in person small group qigong sessions with an experienced qigong practitioner.

Participants will be randomized to participate in either an immediate or waitlist control group that will receive the qigong sessions starting 8 weeks later. Participants will complete 3 sets of questionnaires, each about 8 weeks apart and an interview about their experiences with qigong after completing the 6 sessions.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-04
• Study First Submitted: 2023-01-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-01-04
• Study First Posted: 2023-01-09
• Primary Completion: 2024-05-15
• Study Completion: 2024-05-15
• Status Verified: 2024-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-11-05
• Last Update Posted: 2024-11-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

1. English-speaking adults age 18 or greater
2. History of a COVID-19 infection with lingering symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks
3. Willing and able to access the internet to complete questionnaires
4. Willing and able to travel to the qigong sessions to participate in person in Sacramento, CA.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Lung scarring secondary to COVID-19 infection as evidenced by signs of parenchymal lung damage on imaging or FVC < 80% (any patient with post COVID-related shortness of breath must have PFTs to be considered for enrollment).
2. Dementia
3. Any other condition that makes it difficult for the individual to complete questionnaires or attend the qigong sessions.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Waitlist Control	External Qigong	Receives 6 sessions of qigong after the immediate group
Immediate	External Qigong	Receives 6 sessions of qigong first.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in physical health	8 weeks	Change in PROMIS-29 physical health summary score from before to after intervention in all participants

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of California Davis Health; 🇺🇸 Sacramento, California, United States