Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 28, 2025 9 hours, 52 minutes ago
Medical News: A new approach for tired long COVID patients
Fatigue is one of the most frustrating and common symptoms for people living with long COVID. A new clinical trial has now shown that osteopathic treatment— a hands-on form of manual therapy—can temporarily improve heart function linked to stress and relaxation in these patients. This
Medical News report highlights important findings that could give hope to many who continue to struggle with exhaustion months or even years after infection.
Osteopathy Shows Promise in Easing Long COVID Fatigue
Who conducted the study
The research was carried out by teams from several leading institutions:
- University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, Germany
-University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps University Marburg
-Technical University of Munich (TUM)
-Vienna School of Osteopathy, Austria
-Institute for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research, Schoen Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, Germany
-Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
-IU Internationale Hochschule, Munich, Germany
How the study was done
The trial involved 42 long COVID patients suffering from persistent fatigue at least 12 weeks after infection. Half of the participants received a 45-minute session of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), while the other half received a sham treatment where therapists placed hands on patients without applying real techniques.
Researchers measured heart rate variability (HRV)—a marker of how well the body balances stress and relaxation—before, immediately after, and 48 hours following treatment.
What the study found
Patients who received osteopathic treatment showed several positive changes right after their session. These included:
-An increase in HRV readings linked to relaxation and recovery
-A decrease in stress-related markers
-A temporary drop-in heart rate and better balance of the autonomic nervous system
These effects, however, only lasted for a short time. By 48 hours after the session, most measurements had returned to baseline. The sham treatment group showed little to no improvement, suggesting the real osteopathic intervention was responsible for the changes.
Why this matters
Long COVID fatigue has proven stubborn and difficult to treat, often leaving patients with limited options. Osteopathic therapy, which focuses on the body’s structure and self-healing ability, may offer a safe, drug-free way to support recovery. While the study shows the benefits are temporary after just one session, repeated treatments could potentially help maintain improvements.
The road ahead
The authors note that this was a small trial and more research is needed. Larger studies with longer fo
llow-up and repeated sessions are necessary to determine if osteopathy can provide lasting relief. Still, the results suggest that even a single treatment can give patients a window of recovery, offering a new perspective on how to manage long COVID fatigue.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Clinical Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/17/6066
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