ADEPT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ADEPT (Autonomic Dysfunction managEment ProTocol) in ME/CFS and Long COVID
IRAS ID
347954
Contact name
Manoj Sivan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 4 days
Research summary
Dysautonomia refers to the abnormal regulation of the body's autonomic nervous system. In health, the autonomic system automatically detects and adapts to a persons environment and physiology in order to maintain homeostasis (physiological equilibrium). The symptoms of dysautonomia can be severely limiting, restricting individuals’ engagement in paid work and societal roles. There are currently non-pharmacological and pharmacological management strategies that are employed, however the evidence base and data about efficacy of treatments offered is weak.
This study will capture the effectiveness of a Dysautonomia Management Protocol (DMP) in terms of efficacy of each intervention, focussing on symptom improvement, and will help focus the management of dysautonomia for this population. The population of patients experiencing symptoms of dysautonomia extends beyond the study populations of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrom (ME/CFS) and Long COVID (LC) and the findings of the study could be relevant to other patient groups.
This study will test the effectiveness of an 8-week clinically supervised personalised DMP in a cohort of ME/CFS and LC patients with objective evidence of dysautonomia. Management steps included in the protocol are increased fluid intake, increased salt intake, optimising physical/ cognitive/ emotional exertion to avoid crashes and calf muscle activation.
The interventions will be tested in a sequential and cumulative manner for each patient to estimate which intervention has the best effect (accepting that there will be a summative effect of interventions).
The study is designed to capture the effectiveness of a treatment management protocol that is already used in practice at the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Long COVID Rehabilitation service. Using a exploratory prospective study with the validated and standardised questionnaires and the NASA Lean Test will allow us to assess the efficacy at each stage of the DMP which will be directly transferable to clinical medicine.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0271
Date of REC Opinion
16 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion