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Sci Rep
. 2025 Apr 25;15(1):14467.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96319-6. Mixed methods study of views and experience of non-hospitalised individuals with long COVID of using pacing interventions
Christel McMullan 1 2 3 4 5 , Shamil Haroon 6 , Grace Turner 7 , Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi 8 6 9 10 11 12 , Sarah E Hughes 8 6 9 10 11 12 , Sarah Flanagan 6 , Anuradhaa Subramanian 13 , Krish Nirantharakumar 6 7 , Elin Haf Davies 14 , Chris Frost 14 , Louise Jackson 6 , Naijie Guan 6 , Yvonne Alder 8 , Amy Chong 8 , Lewis Buckland 8 , Felicity Jeyes 8 , David Stanton 8 , Melanie Calvert 8 6 9 10 11 12
Affiliations
Long COVID is highly prevalent and debilitating, with key symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog. Pacing is an approach to energy conservation used to help people with chronic conditions like ME/CFS manage the impact of their condition, and could be a useful strategy for people with Long COVID. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of non-hospitalised adults with Long COVID of pacing as an intervention. This mixed methods study is part of the Therapies for Long COVID (TLC) Feasibility trial. A feasibility questionnaire was developed for participants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of participants at the end of the study and these interviews were analysed using the reflexive thematic analysis approach. 28 participants completed the feasibility questionnaire and 19 participants took part in a qualitative interview. Participants found that pacing helped improve motivation and activity planning. Concerns included challenges due to time constraints, complexity of the intervention, and limited instructions. Pacing for Long COVID may offer potential benefits and is feasible but further research is required to demonstrate its benefits. Overall, research on pacing in the context of Long COVID has the potential to enhance our understanding of symptom management and rehabilitation strategies for this emerging population.
Keywords: Long Covid; Mixed methods; Pacing; Qualitative.
. 2025 Apr 25;15(1):14467.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96319-6. Mixed methods study of views and experience of non-hospitalised individuals with long COVID of using pacing interventions
Christel McMullan 1 2 3 4 5 , Shamil Haroon 6 , Grace Turner 7 , Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi 8 6 9 10 11 12 , Sarah E Hughes 8 6 9 10 11 12 , Sarah Flanagan 6 , Anuradhaa Subramanian 13 , Krish Nirantharakumar 6 7 , Elin Haf Davies 14 , Chris Frost 14 , Louise Jackson 6 , Naijie Guan 6 , Yvonne Alder 8 , Amy Chong 8 , Lewis Buckland 8 , Felicity Jeyes 8 , David Stanton 8 , Melanie Calvert 8 6 9 10 11 12
Affiliations
- PMID: 40280997
- PMCID: PMC12032197
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-96319-6
Long COVID is highly prevalent and debilitating, with key symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, and brain fog. Pacing is an approach to energy conservation used to help people with chronic conditions like ME/CFS manage the impact of their condition, and could be a useful strategy for people with Long COVID. The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of non-hospitalised adults with Long COVID of pacing as an intervention. This mixed methods study is part of the Therapies for Long COVID (TLC) Feasibility trial. A feasibility questionnaire was developed for participants. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of participants at the end of the study and these interviews were analysed using the reflexive thematic analysis approach. 28 participants completed the feasibility questionnaire and 19 participants took part in a qualitative interview. Participants found that pacing helped improve motivation and activity planning. Concerns included challenges due to time constraints, complexity of the intervention, and limited instructions. Pacing for Long COVID may offer potential benefits and is feasible but further research is required to demonstrate its benefits. Overall, research on pacing in the context of Long COVID has the potential to enhance our understanding of symptom management and rehabilitation strategies for this emerging population.
Keywords: Long Covid; Mixed methods; Pacing; Qualitative.