| Title: |
COVID-19 Rehabilitation With Herbal Medicine and Cardiorespiratory Exercise: Protocol for a Clinical Study |
| Authors: |
Gao, Y; Zhong, LLD; Quach, B; Davies, B; Ash, GI; Lin, ZX; Feng, Y; Lau, BWM; Wagner, PD; Yang, X; Guo, Y; Jia, W; Bian, Z; Baker, JS |
| Publisher Information: |
//www.researchprotocols.org/; Canada |
| Publication Year: |
2021 |
| Collection: |
University of Hong Kong: HKU Scholars Hub |
| Subject Terms: |
COVID-19; rehabilitation; cardiorespiratory exercise; Chinese medicine |
| Description: |
Background: Recent studies have revealed that many discharged patients with COVID-19 experience ongoing symptoms months later. Rehabilitation interventions can help address the consequences of COVID-19, including medical, physical, cognitive, and psychological problems. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated the effects of rehabilitation following discharge from hospital for patients with COVID-19. Objective: The specific aims of this project are to investigate the effects of a 12-week exercise program on pulmonary fibrosis in patients recovering from COVID-19. A further aim will be to examine how Chinese herbal medicines as well as the gut microbiome and its metabolites regulate immune function and possibly autoimmune deficiency in the rehabilitation process. Methods: In this triple-blinded, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial, we will recruit adult patients with COVID-19 who have been discharged from hospital in Hong Kong and are experiencing impaired lung function and pulmonary function. A total of 172 eligible patients will be randomized into four equal groups: (1) cardiorespiratory exercise plus Chinese herbal medicines group, (2) cardiorespiratory exercise only group, (3) Chinese herbal medicines only group, and (4) waiting list group (in which participants will receive Chinese herbal medicines after 24 weeks). These treatments will be administered for 12 weeks, with a 12-week follow-up period. Primary outcomes include dyspnea, fatigue, lung function, pulmonary function, blood oxygen levels, immune function, blood coagulation, and related blood biochemistry. Measurements will be recorded prior to initiating the above treatments and repeated at the 13th and 25th weeks of the study. The primary analysis is aimed at comparing the outcomes between groups throughout the study period with an α level of .05 (two-tailed). Results: The trial has been approved by the university ethics committee following the Declaration of Helsinki (approval number: REC/19-20/0504) in 2020. The trial has ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
JMIR Research Protocols; JMIR Research Protocols, 2021, v. 10 n. 5, p. article no. e25556; article no. e25556; 330194; WOS:000658257400047; PMC8158531; https://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/308012; 10 |
| DOI: |
10.2196/25556 |
| Availability: |
https://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/308012; https://doi.org/10.2196/25556 |
| Rights: |
JMIR Research Protocols. Copyright © JMIR Publications, Inc. ; This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.3AD7C747 |
| Database: |
BASE |