Clinical Trial

CArdiac REhabilitation for Building Exertional heArt Rate for Chronotropic Incompetence in Long COVID-19

Study acronym: CARE BEAR-LC

Terminated

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Why the trial stopped

PI changed institutions, exploring restarting at new institution

Summary

The goal of this proof-of-concept clinical trial is to determine whether cardiac rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and chronotropic (heart rate) response to exercise among people with Long COVID. The study will include individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptoms not present prior to COVID-19 that are persistent for at least 3 months after acute infection ("Long COVID"), and who have reduced exercise capacity less than predicted and reduced heart rate response during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). In addition to the primary outcome of change in peak VO2, secondary outcomes will include change in symptoms including autonomic symptoms (COMPASS-31), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), endothelial function with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, and satisfaction (net-promotor score).

Protocol Amendment History 5 changes

critical Trial terminated 2026-08-14

critical Trial terminated: PI changed institutions, exploring restarting at new institution 2026-08-14

notable Enrollment reduced: 20 -> 13 participants 2026-08-14

notable Primary completion pushed: 2025-09 -> 2026-07-31 2026-08-14

minor Completion pushed: 2025-09 -> 2026-07-31 2026-08-14

Trial Details

NCT Number	NCT05530317
Lead Sponsor	University of California, San Francisco
Conditions	Long COVID, COVID-19
Enrollment	13 participants
Start Date	2022-12-21
Primary Completion	2026-07-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-07-31 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-08-13