Journal Article

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (CBT-PCC): a feasibility trial

Jöbges, Michael, Fiess, Johanna, Tholl, Sarah, Huth, Daniel, Bräscher, Anne-Kathrin, Herrmann, Christoph, Witthöft, Michael, Birke, Gunnar, Mier, Daniela

2024

Overview

The post-COVID-19 condition describes the persistence or onset of somatic symptoms (e.g. fatigue) after acute COVID-19. Based on an existing cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol, we developed a specialized group intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. The present study examines the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of the program for inpatients in a neurological rehabilitation setting. The treatment program comprises eight sessions and includes psychoeducational and experience-based interventions on common psychophysiological mechanisms of persistent somatic symptoms. A feasibility trial was conducted using a one-group design in a naturalistic setting. = 64 inpatients with a history of mild COVID-19 that fulfilled WHO criteria for post-COVID-19 condition were enrolled. After each session, evaluation forms were completed and psychometric questionnaires on somatic and psychopathological symptom burden were collected pre- and post-intervention. The treatment program was well received by participants and therapists. Each session was rated as comprehensible and overall satisfaction with the sessions was high. Pre-post effect sizes (of standard rehabilitation incl. new treatment program; intention-to-treat) showed significantly reduced subjective fatigue ( < 0.05, = 0.33) and improved disease coping ( < 0.05, = 0.33-0.49). Our results support the feasibility and acceptance of the newly developed cognitive-behavioral group intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. Yet, findings have to be interpreted cautiously due to the lack of a control group and follow-up measurement, the small sample size, and a relatively high drop-out rate.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Subject: Acceptance / Behavior modification / Cognition / Cognitive ability / Cognitive behavioral therapy / Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - methods / Cognitive-behavioral factors / Coping / COVID-19 / Dropping out / Epidemiology / Exercise / Fatigue / Fatigue - etiology / Fatigue - therapy / Feasibility / Feasibility Studies / Goal setting / Group therapy / Groups / Humans / Infections / Inpatient care / Intervention / Long COVID / Measurement / Medically Unexplained Symptoms / Neurology / Patients / Physiological psychology / Psychopathology / Psychotherapy / Rehabilitation / Satisfaction / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Somatic symptoms / Stress / Subjectivity / Symptoms / Therapists / Treatment programs