Pain Informed Movement Program in Patients With Post COVID-19 Condition

The patients included in the experimental group attended an 8-week Pain Informed Movement program in addition to standard medical care. The program was led by a physical therapist with experience in treating patients with chronic pain. This program consisted of 2 face-to-face sessions per week, and they were asked to complete two sessions at home weekly. The first face-to-face session was a group session with 3-6 participants, and the second face-to-face session was individual. Both sessions lasted approximately 1 h. In the group sessions, pain neuroscience education was conducted. In the individual sessions, an individualized functional exercise program was performed by each patient, as well as relaxation techniques. Patients were asked to perform the functional exercises and relaxation techniques at home. Participants were asked to record their compliance with the program and their progress.

In addition to standard medical care, patients assigned to this group received a leaflet with information about the main post COVID-19 condition symptoms. This is a control group that was not controlled or monitored by a therapist.