Development, Acceptability, and Feasibility of a Digital Module for Coping with COVID-19 Distress: Pragmatic Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the measures to help contain it have taken a significant toll on mental health. Blended care psychotherapy combining provider-led care with digital tools can help alleviate this toll. This study describes the development of digital activities designed to teach cognitive-behavioral skills for coping with COVID-19 distress, and evaluates initial acceptability and feasibility data. Materials and Methods: Using a pragmatic retrospective cohort design, data from 664 U.S.-based individuals enrolled in blended care psychotherapy were analyzed. Descriptive analyses summarized acceptability for the digital activities. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted on a subsample (n = 162) to explore the association between clients' attitudes toward the digital lesson and reported practice of skills in the exercise. Results: The majority of clients completed the assigned digital lesson and exercise. Clients reported finding the lesson valuable and relevant for coping with COVID-19 distress, and they intended to apply the skills to their lives. Higher agreement with these attitude questions was associated with a significantly greater number of skills practiced on the digital exercise. Discussion: Clients who were assigned a cognitive-behaviorally oriented digital lesson and/or exercise within a blended care model largely engaged with the materials and found them valuable. Clients with more positive attitudes about the digital lesson reported using more coping skills. Conclusions: Digital modules that teach specific skills for coping with COVID-19 can be integrated into treatment and minimize provider burden. Future study should investigate the clinical impact of these digital activities on psychiatric symptoms and personalizing the content.