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The COPE Study: Pilot Intervention to Improve Symptom Self-management and Coping in Adults With Post COVID-19

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Post COVID-19 Condition
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Interventions
Behavioral: 6-Week Self-Management Group
Registration Number
NCT05658536
Lead Sponsor
University of Washington
Brief Summary

This project is a randomized controlled pilot trial using mixed methods to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial effects of a telemedicine group-based intervention designed to improve symptom management and coping in adults with Post-COVID.

Detailed Description

Post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also referred to as Post-COVID, is an emerging condition with debilitating symptoms relevant to rehabilitation medicine. Post-COVID has been described as the "next national health disaster". The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe Post COVID as a wide range of physical and mental health symptoms lasting four or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some of the most common and disabling symptoms include, fatigue, memory issues, pain-related symptoms, insomnia, and shortness of breath. In addition to these physical symptoms, many patients with Post-COVID report co-occurring mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression. It is believed that over 100 million people worldwide currently experience or have experienced Post COVID. Importantly, this condition can be debilitating and disabling - nearly one in five people reported not working as a direct result of Post COVID.

Psychosocial self-management interventions are a promising treatment for helping people with Post COVID manage their symptoms and engage in adaptive coping. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Post COVID, and it is unclear at what timepoint patients will recover or what proportion of patients will recover. Given the variability and chronicity of Post COVID symptoms, self-management interventions could be particularly beneficial. Research on patient populations with similar symptom profiles as Post COVID (e.g., myalgic encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis) suggests that psychosocial interventions like self-management can reduce symptom severity and interference and improve coping.

This randomized controlled pilot trial will use quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial effects of a telemedicine group-based intervention designed to improve symptom management and coping in adults with Post-COVID.

The study objectives include:

1. To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a telemedicine group-based intervention for improving symptom management and coping in adults with Post-COVID.

2. To examine initial effects of a telemedicine group-based intervention on Post-COVID symptom management and adaptive coping.

3. To understand intervention participants' perceptions of the feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and perceived effectiveness of the Post-COVID intervention and their recommendations for improving the intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
51
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Age ≥ 18 years
  2. Resident of Washington state
  3. Diagnosis of a Post-COVID condition
  4. Able to read, speak, and understand English
  5. Availability of a telephone and internet access
Read More
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Severe cognitive impairment
  2. Currently receiving other psychosocial treatments primarily for any Post-COVID symptom(s) or problem(s)
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
6-Week Self-Management Group6-Week Self-Management Group6-week telemedicine group-based intervention designed to improve symptom management and coping in adults with Post-COVID. The intervention consists of six weekly group sessions that are 1.5 hours long. Group size is 8-10 participants.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Intervention FeasibilityCollected via online survey at post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Intervention Feasibility will be measured with the Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). When assessed via online survey, responses from the Intervention Feasibility items will be averaged to create an average score \[1-5\]. A higher score indicates more agreement with intervention feasibility while a lower score indicates less agreement with intervention feasibility.

Intervention AcceptabilityCollected via online survey at post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Intervention Acceptability will be measured with the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM). When assessed via online survey, responses from the Intervention Acceptability items will be averaged to create an average score \[1-5\]. A higher score indicates more agreement with intervention acceptability while a lower score indicates less agreement with intervention acceptability.

Intervention AppropriatenessCollected via online survey at post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Intervention Appropriateness will be measured with the Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM). When assessed via online survey, responses from the Intervention Appropriateness items will be averaged to create an average score \[1-5\]. A higher score indicates more agreement with intervention appropriateness while a lower score indicates less agreement with intervention appropriateness.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Impression of ChangeCollected via online survey at post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Impression of Change will be measured with the Patient Global Impression of Change scale. Higher scores on this one-item scale indicate higher self-reported levels of impression of change.

Depressive SymptomsCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Mood will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression Short Form 8b. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of depressive symptoms.

Symptoms and Impact of Post-COVIDCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Symptoms and Impact of Post-COVID will be measured with the Long COVID Symptom and Impact Tools (ST and IT). When assessed via online survey, responses from the Long COVID Symptom Tool (ST) items will be scored as a simple count (yes/no). Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of symptoms of Post-COVID. Responses from the Long COVID Impact Tool (IT) will be summed. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of impact of Post-COVID.

Anxiety SymptomsCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Anxiety will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of anxiety.

Self-EfficacyCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Self-Efficacy will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Conditions - Managing Symptoms Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of self-efficacy.

Psychosocial FunctioningCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Psychosocial Functioning will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of ability to participate in social roles and activities.

FatigueCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Fatigue will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of fatigue.

Sleep DisturbanceCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Sleep Disturbance will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of sleep disturbance.

Perceived Cognitive DifficultiesCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Perceived Cognitive Difficulties will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cognitive Function - Abilities Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of perceived cognitive difficulties.

Pain InterferenceCollected via online survey at pre-treatment (up to 1 month before Tx Session 1) and post-treatment (up to 2 months after Tx Session 6)

Change in Pain Interference will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference Short Form 8a. When assessed via online survey, responses will be summed to form a total T-score score based on normative data. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of pain interference.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Washington, Ninth and Jefferson Building

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

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