Glasgow researchers have found that a combination of dietitian and peer-supported weight management has been found to help improve symptoms in overweight people living with long COVID.

A digitally-focussed, remote programme of structured support was delivered to over 200 participants from 2021 to 2022, where researchers saw a marked improvement in the long COVID symptoms that mattered most to participants.

This included a reduction in the physical symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness and pain as well as mental health benefits, with patients reporting reduced levels of anxiety and depression.

Amidst a growing need for disease-modifying treatments to help people living with long COVID, this trial led by the University of Glasgow’s Professor Emilie Combet focused on combination of dietitian and peer support.

Professor Combet, University of Glasgow Professor of Human Nutrition, explained that as long COVID is a complex condition, the ReDIRECT trial published in Nature Medicine forms only part of the solution for patients.

Alongside peer support, the programme provided a 12-week diet replacement plan followed by a period of food reintroduction and weight loss maintenance support from a dietitian.

However, the study lead Professor Combet said further research is needed as long COVID remains a “significant public health concern” affecting millions of individuals and families worldwide.

While this study focused on nutrition and behaviour-supported weight loss, it comes amid increasing use of weight-loss drugs, which the Financial Times has reported is driving a ‘craze’ in the use of other injectables to counteract facial sagging that can accompany weight loss.

Long COVID community

The researchers worked closely with patient representatives from charity Long COVID Scotland, an interaction which the team highlighted as critical in shaping the research from design to analysis.

Jane Ormerod from Long COVID Scotland said:

“Representatives from Long COVID Scotland were involved from the outset in this study to ensure that the voices and experiences of people with long COVID contributed to the development of this research intervention.

“We welcome opportunities to be involved fully in future research to develop inclusive approaches to the treatment and rehabilitation of people with long COVID.”

The researchers said an inclusive approach to treatment which incorporates the personal experiences and preferences of people living with long COVID should be used to inform and evaluate future interventions.

Dr David Blane, lecturer in General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Glasgow, said the study provides “promising signals” for developing a broader rehabilitation approach for people living with long COVID.

He added:

“We are proud to have worked closely with members of the long COVID community, and their involvement throughout the research helped inform our understanding of long COVID and contributed to the development of a weight management programme that could respond flexibly to the needs of people living with this debilitating, energy-limiting condition.”

The research team recognised that, while excess weight is unlikely to play a central role in the causes of long COVID, different therapeutic options should be explored in the absence of a disease-modifying treatment or cure for long COVID.

The team emphasised the complexity of long COVID and highlighted the need for further investigation to best treat people living with the condition.

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