Long-COVID Salford (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the real-world experience of adults with Long-COVID in Salford: a feasibility study
IRAS ID
312521
Contact name
Alexandra Clarke-Cornwell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Salford
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Ethics Approval 4726, University of Salford Ethics Approval
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 24 days
Research summary
1.9 million people in the UK report experiencing long COVID, defined as symptoms of more than four weeks after COVID-19 infection, which persist for more than 12 weeks and are otherwise unexplained (ONS, 2023 available at https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/prevalenceofongoingsymptomsfollowingcoronavirusCOVID19infectionintheuk/30march2023). Symptoms vary and include fatigue, ’brain fog’, breathlessness and anxiety. In response to long COVID, the NHS launched 40 ‘long COVID clinics’ (NHS, 2020), one of which is a collaboration between the University of Salford’s School of Health and Society and the Northern Care Alliance (NCA). This clinic is based on campus and supports student occupational therapist and physiotherapist practice education as well as providing a full clinic for patients in Salford.
Not enough is known about the impact of long COVID on individuals’ day-to-day lives. To date, impacts have tended to be measured through self-report and/or by stand-alone tests of activity limitations in a clinical setting (e.g. 10 metre walk test, sit-to-stand tests), which have been described as limited in value either for the clinician or service user.
To capture a more detailed and reliable picture of the daily impact of long COVID, we will collect both qualitative and real-world quantitative data.
The aims of this study are to:
• Establish the feasibility and acceptability of collecting information using an objective measurement of free-living activity;
• Explore whether there is any relationship between data from commonly used self-report measures, from an objective measurement of free-living activity and from self-reported lived experience;
• Document the lived experience and perceived needs of patients.
This project is intended as preliminary work to support a longer-term funded project. The results from this project will inform planned research to develop and evaluate assessment and intervention approaches to be offered in the clinic. As such, this project will obtain relevant and important baseline information for future research and service development.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0252
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion