BACKGROUND: Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is characterized by persistent fatigue and limited treatment options. Telemedical self-care approaches such as online Qigong and self-applied acupressure are increasingly used, yet little is known about how participants experience and integrate these interventions. This qualitative substudy explored participants' perspectives within the ACUQiG randomized trial.
METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants (8 female, 4 male; age 35-57) after completing an eight-week program of online Qigong and self-applied acupressure. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, via secure online video or by telephone and focused on motivations, everyday integration, and participants' perceived benefits and challenges of the intervention. Sampling continued until thematic saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS: Motivations included dissatisfaction with conventional care, cautious openness toward complementary medicine, the wish to contribute to research, and persistent hope for improvement. Telemedical delivery and group formats facilitated integration into daily routines, whereas cognitive impairments, fluctuating fatigue, and limited privacy hindered regular practice. Participants reported perceived changes such as increased calmness, improved breathing, and symptom relief, alongside ambiguous or minimal experiences and, in some cases, discomfort related to acupressure.
CONCLUSION: From participants' perspectives, telemedical Qigong and acupressure functioned as self-care tools that provided structure, emotional regulation, and a sense of agency in living with PCS. At the same time, the flexibility of the telemedical format both enabled access and, for some, reduced externally imposed structure, while cognitive, physical, and contextual barriers constrained consistent engagement. These findings suggest that future telemedical programs should carefully balance flexibility with structured support and remain sensitive to individual capacities and everyday circumstances.
Long Covid