Evaluation of a Hybrid, Digital and In-Person, Rehabilitation Programme for Long-Covid: A Multiple Stakeholder Mixed Methods Analysis

<bold>Introduction:</bold> An estimated 1.9 million individuals in the UK report long-Covid symptoms. We aimed to evaluate a novel hybrid rehabilitation programme. <bold>Methods:</bold> Participants completed a 12-week rehabilitation programme. The initial 6-weeks involved remote live group-based and on-demand exercise. The subsequent 6-weeks transitioned to in-person rehabilitation. Participants received telephone consultations and engaged in educational and social activities. General health status (EQ-5D-5L questionnaire), functional capacity [30-second sit-to-stand (STS) test], and breathlessness [dsypnoea-12 (D-12)] was recorded at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Participants and the delivery/management team took part in interviews. <bold>Results:</bold> 141 participants enrolled, 69% were female, mean (SD) 50 (12) years. Significant improvements were observed in all health domains (5Q-5D-5L, P<0.01), STS (P<0.001) and breathlessness (P<0.001) (Figure). Themes from the interviews included the value of instructor and peer support (e.g., for motivation and overcoming stigma). The novelty of digital prior to face-to-face rehabilitation was noted by the management team, and participants recognised this as beneficial. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Hybrid rehabilitation was widely accepted as positive and provided significant benefits to general health status, functional capacity and breathlessness in people with Long-Covid. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA4109/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>