Abstract Background Long COVID is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness, which impair functional capacity. Whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) has been purposed as an adjunt to physical exercise, to enhance strength and performance. However, its effects in individuals with Long COVID remain poorly established. Objective To evaluate the effects of combining supervised physical exercise with WB-EMS on functional capacity, cardiovascular parameters, and exercise performance in individuals with Long COVID. Methods This randomized clinical trial included adults with Long COVID, defined by a Post-COVID Functional Status (PCFS) score ≥ 2. Participants were randomized into two groups: WBS-EMS + Exercise and Exercise only. Both groups underwent a supervised physical training program twice weekly for 5 weeks. The WB-EMS protocol used biphasic electrical current (85 Hz, 350 µs pulse duration, and 6-second stimulation cycles), while controls performed the same exercises without stimulation. Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute step test (6MST) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after the intervention. Cardiovascular responses (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation) and subjective perception of effort using the Borg 10 scale (dyspnea and lower limb fatigue) were recorded before and after both tests. Intra- and intergroup comparisons were performed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test, with a significance level of p 0.05. Results Eighteen participants completed the study (mean age 49 ± 13 in WBS-EMS + Exercise and 58 ± 16 in Exercise only; 56% female in both groups). At post intervention, resting heart rate was higher in the Exercise + WB-EMS group compared with Exercise only (Δ = 14bpm; CI%: 1-27; p 0.05). The Exercise + WB-EMS group showed a significant improvement in 6MST performance (Δ = 32 steps; CI%: 13-52; p 0.05, while the Exercise-only showed no significant change (102 ± 22 vs. 121 ± 35 steps; p 0.05). The Exercise + WB-EMS group also outperformed Exercise-only at both pre- and post-intervention assessment (p 0.05). In the 6MWT, walking distance increased significantly only in the Exercise + WB-EMS group (Δ = 72.89 m; CI%: 32.85-112.90; p 0.05). Conclusion Combining WBS with supervised exercise improved functional capacity and walking performance in individuals with Long COVID compared with exercise alone. WB-EMS may be an effective complementary strategy for rehabilitation in this population. This abstract is funded by: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) (process number: 172485/2023-1) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) (Finance Code 001).
Juno et al. (Fri,) studied this question.