RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

OutreAch MediCal Care for HousEbound Patients With Post-COVID-19 Syndrome or ME/CFS of Any Cause (ACCESS)

This study, called ACCESS, focuses on people with severe Post-COVID Syndrome or ME/CFS who are mostly housebound or bedridden. These individuals often can't travel to clinics or hospitals for help and may not see specialists. The project aims to understand how common this severe illness is, its symptoms, and how it affects patients and their families. Researchers will develop individual care plans and offer monthly consultations for patients and caregivers, some online and some in person at home. They will then compare whether this extra support improves well-being. The goal is to figure out how to offer better care to those most severely affected by these conditions.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Hannover Medical School

Enrolment target

100

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2028

ME/CFS

What is this study about?

If you or someone you know has Post-COVID Syndrome (often called Long COVID) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) and are very unwell – so much so that you can't leave your home or are mostly in bed – this study might be of interest. Many studies don't reach people who are this ill because they can't travel to hospitals or clinics. This project aims to change that by focusing specifically on those housebound or bedridden by these conditions.

In the UK, we've seen a growing number of people affected by Post-COVID Syndrome since the pandemic. We've also long known about ME/CFS, which can cause similar extreme tiredness and other symptoms. For those severe cases, getting proper medical care and advice can be very difficult. This study wants to fill that gap by understanding more about who these patients are, what their specific health challenges are, and how their lives and the lives of their caregivers are impacted.

Working closely with patients, their families, and expert doctors, the study will explore ways to provide medical support directly to people in their homes. It will test if having regular specialist contact and personalised support plans can make a difference to their health and the stress on their caregivers. The information gathered will help doctors and healthcare providers improve care for all patients with severe Post-COVID Syndrome and ME/CFS in the future.

Key takeaways

This study helps people with severe ME/CFS or Post-COVID Syndrome who are housebound.
It aims to understand their unique needs and how best to support them at home.
Specialists will visit you at home and offer monthly consultations, some online.
The goal is to improve the well-being of patients and their caregivers.
It's important research for those often missed by other studies.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged between 18 and 69 years old. To take part, you must have been diagnosed with ME/CFS using what are called the 'Canadian Consensus Criteria'. You will also need to have symptoms that limit your physical activity quite a lot; specifically, your 'Bell Score' needs to be 30 or less. This score helps to measure how severe your illness is.

Another important requirement is that the extreme tiredness and other symptoms you feel after even small amounts of activity (this is called post-exertional malaise or PEM) must last for more than 14 hours. This shows that your body struggles to recover even from minor efforts.

You cannot take part if you have other long-standing health problems, especially those affecting your brain or movement, that might be the main reason you can't get around or think clearly. The study wants to make sure that the symptoms they are looking at are due to ME/CFS or Post-COVID Syndrome and not another condition.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you aged between 18 and 69?
Do you have a diagnosis of ME/CFS (Canadian Consensus Criteria)?
Are you mostly housebound or bedridden due to your illness?
Does your extreme tiredness after activity (PEM) last more than 14 hours?
Do you NOT have another major health condition that explains your mobility problems?
Can you be visited by medical specialists at home (for in-person parts of the study)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join the study, a team of specialists, including doctors who focus on internal medicine, brain and nerve conditions (neurology), and mind-body connections (psychosomatic medicine), will visit you at home. They will ask you questions about your health history and symptoms, and also do physical and mental health checks. Your family or caregivers will also be asked about your symptoms and how they've changed over time.

Once enrolled, you would receive monthly consultations from the study team. Some of these might be online, and others could be in-person home visits. They will help develop a personalised care and treatment plan for you. The study will look at how your health changes and also how the support affects your caregivers. The exact duration of your participation isn't specified, but it involves ongoing monthly support.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is getting individualised expert care and a personalised treatment plan right in your home, which could improve your well-being. It might also reduce the pressure on your caregivers. However, talking in detail about your illness and having repeat visits, even if they are supportive, can sometimes make your symptoms worse for a short time. This study is designed to carefully monitor your health and ensure your safety. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Hannover Medical School
Verified postcode
Hanover, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'Housebound' in this study?

It means you are often or completely unable to leave your home due to your illness, making it difficult or impossible to attend outside appointments.

What is Post-COVID Syndrome?

It's when symptoms like extreme tiredness, breathlessness, or brain fog continue for weeks or months after having COVID-19.

What is ME/CFS?

It stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a long-term illness with symptoms like severe fatigue after activity, sleep problems, and pain.

Will I get new medicines if I join?

The study focuses on care plans and consultations, not specific new medications. Any treatment would be part of your individualised care plan.

What if my symptoms get worse during the study?

The researchers are aware this is a risk and will monitor you closely. You can also withdraw at any time if you feel unwell or it's not right for you.

How to find out more

Meike Dirks, MD

access-patienten@mh-hannover.de +495115323145 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.