Narrative Intervention for Long COVID-19 (NICO) Research Study

People living with COVID19 Long Haul Syndrome frequently experience high symptom burden and problems performing basic activities of daily living. COVID19 has impacted mental health not only for people directly affected by the pandemic, including people who are living with COVID19 Long Haul Syndrome, but also those affected indirectly, putting further strain on the mental health system, which was already under stress.

Understanding the experience of COVID 19 Long Haul Syndrome that can inform innovative and impactful ways to improve living with COVID19. Mental health providers are in high demand with an increase in burnout. One study reported 1/3 of mental health providers have experienced severe burnout since the onset of the pandemic. There are nursing staff shortages across the US, especially in rural areas. Shortages also occur within social work staff globally. There is a need to design innovative, interdisciplinary, and less time-intensive interventions to help those living with chronic illness. More people living longer with different types of illnesses and staffing shortages make traditional talk therapy interventions more challenging to deliver to more people.

This study has two specific aims:

Aim 1: Establish the acceptability and feasibility of an asynchronous narrative intervention for people living with long haul COVID19.

Aim 2: Explore themes of illness narratives of people living with long haul COVID19