Diet changes to reduce fatigue and weakness after COVID-19

Plain-English translation of NCT05977179 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This 16-week study is testing whether a personalized healthy eating plan—designed with the help of a registered dietitian and focused on anti-inflammatory foods—can help reduce fatigue and improve muscle strength in older adults with long COVID. Half of the participants will receive the personalized diet plan with weekly coaching sessions, while the other half will attend general health education sessions on topics like hearing and home safety.

Many people experience severe fatigue and muscle weakness months or years after having COVID-19, and there are few proven treatments to help them recover. This study wants to find out if changing what you eat can reduce these symptoms and help your muscles get stronger.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 50 years of age or older
you have been diagnosed with long COVID or post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
you experience moderate to severe fatigue from your long COVID symptoms
you have been eating an unhealthy diet (as measured by a health screening test)
you do not currently have an active COVID-19 infection or other active infectious disease

You likely don't qualify if…

you require home oxygen or a ventilator
you have diabetes with a recent blood sugar test (HbA1c) above 9% or no recent test
you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (systolic 190 or higher, or diastolic 110 or higher)
you have severe heart failure or other serious heart conditions
you have active cancer, liver disease, or advanced kidney disease
you have food allergies (such as to fish or shellfish) that would make it hard to follow the diet plan

What participation looks like

If you are selected, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will meet weekly with a registered dietitian who will create a personalized meal plan focused on healthy, anti-inflammatory foods and help you learn how to eat this way. The other group will attend weekly educational sessions about general health topics like hearing and home safety. Either way, you will commit to the program for 16 weeks and attend all scheduled sessions. At the beginning and end of the study, the researchers will measure your fatigue, muscle strength, and how well you're eating.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 14, 2026 · Not medical advice

Diet changes to reduce fatigue and weakness after COVID-19

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)