Over 500 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and to date, more than 6 million people have died. Many individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms even after they have been "cured" of the disease. This condition is known as post COVID-19 condition, which can have serious health consequences. A common symptom among these individuals is chronic fatigue, characterized by persistent tiredness or lack of energy. This study aims to explore a novel treatment for symptoms of post COVID-19 condition, known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This approach has shown promise in helping people with post COVID-19 conditions and treating some other causes of fatigue.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves placing patients in a small chamber where they receive high oxygen gas levels. However, this treatment is expensive and time-consuming, and it is unclear if this treatment can be effectively assessed in a large-scale research study. This small study will help us decide if conducting a large research study is feasible. The investigators aim to assess if hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve symptoms of post COVID-19 condition, such as fatigue.
Age ≥ 18 years old
Officially diagnosed with post COVID-19 condition by a healthcare practitioner
At least three months since SARS-CoV-2 infection
Difficulty thinking or problem solving ('brain fog')
Contraindications/medically unfit to receive hyperbaric treatments at an outpatient facility (pneumothorax, in-patients, requiring infusions to maintain hemodynamics, active and unstable coronary disease)
Patients with cognitive difficulties and/or mental retardation before COVID diagnosis
History of traumatic brain injury
Unlikely to comply with follow-up assessments (e.g. no fixed address, plans to move out of town)
Parallel
Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber (Class III medical device).
Device40 hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatments (90 minute exposures at 2 atmospheres (ATM) per treatment), scheduled daily from Monday to Friday (i.e., 5 treatments per week) until treatments are completed (approximately 8 weeks). Treatments will be delivered in a medical grade, Health Canada-approved monoplace hyperbaric chamber and overseen by specialist hyperbaric physicians and a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist. Device is being used in manner consistent with approved usage in Canada.
Recruitment rate - referral
Quantify referral rate from healthcare providers
Recruitment rate - inclusion
Number of patients meeting inclusion criteria
Recruitment rate - consent
Patient consent rate
Adherence to HBOT protocol
Number of Participants received minimum 4 treatments per week with \>35 treatments
The impact of HBOT on post COVID-19 condition - PDQ
The validated clinical deficit scale, Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ), will be used at the time of enrollment (baseline), start of treatment (if starting 60 days after enrollment), 4 weeks after the start of treatment, and every 2 months from the first HBOT treatment for 1 year
The impact of HBOT on post COVID-19 condition - FSS
The validated clinical deficit scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), will be used at the time of enrollment (baseline), start of treatment (if starting 60 days after enrollment), 4 weeks after the start of treatment, and every 2 months from the first HBOT treatment for 1 year
The impact of HBOT on post COVID-19 condition - SF-36
The validated clinical deficit scale, QoL Short Form Survey (SF-36), will be used at the time of enrollment (baseline), start of treatment (if starting 60 days after enrollment), 4 weeks after the start of treatment, and every 2 months from the first HBOT treatment for 1 year.
The impact of time to initiation of HBOT on outcomes following initial infection outcome - PDQ
Validated clinical deficit scales PDQ will be compared with FSS and SF-36 between immediate and delayed start groups
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