Investigating the Effectiveness of Vimida, a Digital Intervention for People Suffering From Post-viral Chronic Fatigue After COVID-19 Infection
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Sponsor
- Gaia AG
- Enrollment
- 160
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Fatigue symptom severity
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 160 patients suffering from fatigue after COVID-19 infection aims to investigate the effectiveness of the unguided digital therapeutic vimida for reducing post-COVID-19 fatigue. Inclusion criteria are: male, female or non-binary, age ≥18 years, diagnosis of post-COVID-19 fatigue, ≥3 months since the last infection with COVID-19, fatigue severity score (cut-off) of ≥ 16 on the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11), consent to participation, and sufficient German language skills. Exclusion criteria are a known psychiatric or somatic condition that can explain the fatigue and current participation in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program aimed to ameliorate the consequences of COVID-19.
Patients will be randomized and allocated to either an intervention group, in which they will receive access to vimida in addition to treatment as usual (TAU; n=80), or to a control group, in which they will receive access to TAU only (n=80).
The primary endpoint will be fatigue symptoms with three months post-allocation (T1) being the primary time point for assessment of effectiveness. Six months post-allocation (T2) will be used as follow-up assessment of endpoints. Secondary endpoints will be depressive symptoms, mental health-related quality of life, work/social functioning, somatic symptoms, and anxiety symptoms.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •male, female or non-binary
- •diagnosis of post-COVID-19 fatigue (ICD-10 U08.9, or U09.9 in conjunction with G93.3), secured via a telemedical visit
- •≥ 3 months since COVID-19 infection that preceded fatigue symptoms
- •elevated levels of fatigue: cut-off of ≥ 16 on the CFQ-11
- •consent to participation
- •sufficient knowledge of the German language
Exclusion Criteria
- •known somatic or psychiatric condition that can explain the fatigue (e.g., cancer, multiple sclerosis, severe depression)
- •current participation in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program aimed at ameliorating the consequences of COVID-19
Arms & Interventions
vimida + TAU
Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive access to vimida in addition to treatment as usual (TAU).
vimida is a digital health application designed for individuals with post-Covid conditions who suffer from fatigue, accessible through a web browser. The application focuses on treatment methods derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Topics addressed by vimida are psychoeducation, activity and recovery, attention, stress management, sleep management, cognitive restructuring, and social resources.
The program operates through interactive "dialogues", which are accompanied by illustrations, audio recordings, motivational text messages, worksheets, and summaries. Users are also encouraged to regularly complete short questionnaires to monitor their complaints. Once registered, the program remains accessible for 180 days.
Intervention: vimida (Behavioral)
TAU
Participants allocated to the control group will receive access to treatment as usual (TAU).
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Fatigue symptom severity
Time Frame: 3 months
Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11). Total score ranging from 0-33; higher scores mean higher fatigue symptoms (worse outcome).
Secondary Outcomes
- Depressive symptoms(3 months)
- Health-related quality of life(3 months)
- Functioning(3 months)
- Somatic symptoms(3 months)
- Anxiety(3 months)