The significance of the Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) has been widely acknowledged. Various efforts are made to find out about the pathomechanisms behind PCS and to establish therapies. One sub-group of PCS-patients, however, is generally excluded from any studies, and that are those who are unable to visit outpatient clinics or hospitals for diagnostic work up or participation in clinical trials, as they are unable to leave their home and to seek medical support on their own physical and mental capabilities. They are housebound, mostly or totally bedridden. Similar cases are known from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) of any cause and are graded as moderate to very severe ME/CFS according to the Canadian Consensus criteria. The patients are usually seen by their family doctor and have no access to medical specialists. The planned project aims to find out about the prevalence of this most severe manifestation of PCS, the clinical characteristics, the prevalence of mimics, risk factors and impact of the disease on the patients' life and their family/caregivers. Individual care and treatment plans will be developed and the effect of monthly consultation hours for patients and caregivers upon the patients' health status and the caregiver burden will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The project will be performed in close cooperation between patients, caregivers, the patient's family doctor and a board of experts from internal medicine, neurology, psychosomatic medicine and general medicine at Hannover Medical School. We expect an improvement of the patients' and caregivers wellbeing with intensified medical care. We are aware, however, that intensification of the patient-doctor interaction carries the risk to exacerbate the patients' symptoms. The results of our study will show how current models of care for PCS and ME/CFS patients should be modified to fit to the individual patient's aims and capacities.
Age range
18 Years – 69 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Short Form (SF)-36 health survey, physical score
Timeframe: 1 year