Qigong for Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection

Purpose

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.

Condition

  • Long COVID

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

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

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Randomized, waitlist controlled design
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Immediate
Receives 6 sessions of qigong first.
  • Behavioral: External Qigong
    6 sessions of external qigong delivered in a group-based format once a week.
Other
Waitlist Control
Receives 6 sessions of qigong after the immediate group
  • Behavioral: External Qigong
    6 sessions of external qigong delivered in a group-based format once a week.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

NCT ID
NCT05675995
Status
Completed
Sponsor
University of California, Davis

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.