Reducing fatigue in Long COVID-19: A feasibility study of a self-help intervention to reduce fatigue-related symptoms among patients in general practice

INTERVENTION: Following consent over the telephone by one of our research practitioners, participants will be randomised into the trial using sealed envelope (TM) 1:1 intervention to wait‐list control. Randomisation will be stratified by gender and by recruitment site (RftF vs FARSITE GP invitation). Eligible participants will be allocated at random (1:1) in blocks of size 4, 6 or 8 (chosen at random and in equal numbers) to: Intervention: This group will receive an intervention pack containing; patient instructions and online video link, a long handled massager and massage oil, hot water bottle and gel pack for contract bathing and a tick sheet to monitor recommended exercises, Wait‐list control group: Will receive the same pack 12 weeks after randomisation. Both groups will be asked to complete follow‐up online surveys at 3 months (12 weeks) and 6 months (24 weeks) post RDZ. CONDITION: Fatigue symptoms following Long COVID ; Infections and Infestations PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; 1. The recruitment rate into our Phase 2 intervention will be recorded as the number of eligible participants who consented to participate in the study over the 4 month recruitment period.; 2. The attrition rate in our Phase 2 intervention will be recorded as the number of eligible participants who consented to participate in the study but had not completed final 24 week follow‐up measures.; SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Fatigue is measured using Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (with participants completing online questionnaire using scoring 0,1,2,3) at 0, 12 and 24 weeks.; 2. Physical functioning is measured using SF‐12 at 0,12 and 24 weeks (online questionnaire) at 0, 12 and 24 weeks.; 3. Quality of life is measured using EQ‐5D at 0,12 and 24 weeks (online questionnaire) at 0, 12 and 24 weeks.; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adult aged 18 years or over 2. Tested positive for COVID (between July 2020 and February 2022) 3. Scored of 4 or more on Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire scored bimodally (0,0,1,1)