NIH-Backed Project Investigating Heat Therapy as a Long COVID Treatment

For millions battling long COVID, everyday life feels like an uphill climb. Worse, traditional rehab programs often require exercise, something many long COVID patients simply can’t do.

➡️ What’s new: Gwenael Layec, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the School of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), is in the midst of a $3.2 million, five-year research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to examine how heat therapy can serve as an effective rehabilitation strategy for individuals experiencing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, commonly known as long COVID.

💡 Why it matters:

• While traditional rehabilitation often includes exercise-based therapy, many long COVID patients are unable to participate due to their physical limitations.

• Heat therapy—a home-based treatment—could offer a viable alternative that improves cardiovascular and physical function without requiring strenuous activity.

• According to a 2021 study 20% of previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients experienced a change in working status due to poor health since COVID-19 illness.

🔎 Zoom in: A vanguard study Layec conducted at the University of Massachusetts has provided promising results:

• An eight-week, home-based lower-body heat therapy trial showed clinically significant improvements in physical function for older adults with long COVID.

• Early findings suggest potential cardiovascular benefits, which are now being further investigated.

• The research aims to expand treatment options for individuals who cannot engage in traditional exercise-based rehabilitation.

🎤 What they’re saying: “Millions of people are struggling with long COVID, yet many existing rehabilitation programs are inaccessible to those who need them most. Our goal is to develop a treatment option that is safe, effective, and—most importantly—accessible to those who can’t engage in traditional exercise-based therapy. If successful, this research could improve post-illness resiliency, helping individuals regain their independence, mobility, and quality of life,” Layec said.

🌎 The big picture: Layec’s research aligns with UNO’s commitment to impactful, community-driven research by advancing public health through innovative solutions.

⚡ What’s next: The research is expected to guide rehabilitation programs to mitigate long-term disabilities in patients with long COVID and other medical conditions characterized by low adherence to traditional physical rehabilitation.