Evaluation of the E-Mental Health Mindfulness-Based and Skills-Based “CoPE It” Intervention to Reduce Psychological Distress in Times of COVID-19: Results of a Bicentre Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic poses immense challenges for health care systems and population-wide mental health. The e-mental health intervention “CoPE It” has been developed to offer standardized and manualized support to overcome psychological distress caused by the pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of “CoPE It” in terms of reducing distress (primary outcome), depression and anxiety symptoms, and improving self-efficacy, and mindfulness (secondary outcomes). Furthermore, the intervention's usability, feasibility, and participants' satisfaction with “CoPE It” was evaluated (tertiary outcome). The study protocol has been published previously.Methods: A bicentre longitudinal study was conducted from April 27th 2020 to May 3rd 2021. N = 110 participants were included in the analyses. The intervention consisted of four modules featuring different media promoting evidence-based methods of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Difference in psychological distress between baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) were analyzed by repeated measure analysis of covariance. Mixed linear models were applied to assess moderating effects. Depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy, and mindfulness were compared between baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) via t-tests. Usability of the “CoPE It” intervention and participants' satisfaction was evaluated by calculation means and frequencies.Results:Primary outcome: A significant effect of time on psychological distress at post-intervention (T1) after controlling for age, gender, education, mental illness and attitudes toward online interventions was found. Depressive and anxiety symptoms, and mindfulness were a significant moderators of the relationship between time and psychological distress for consistent wording. Secondary outcomes: There was a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and generalized anxiety, and a significant increase in self-efficacy and mindfulness between baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Tertiary outcomes: 95.83% of the participants thought the “CoPE It” intervention was easy to use and 87.50% were satisfied with the “CoPE It” intervention in an overall, general sense.Conclusion: The e-mental health “CoPE It” intervention seems to be an effective approach in reducing psychological distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and in enhancing self-efficacy and mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants' satisfaction and the program‘s feasibility, and usability were proven to be high.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: DRKS00021301.

A Brief, Daily, Online Mental Health and Well-being Intervention for University Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Program Description and Outcomes Using a Mixed Methods Design

“…Staff experienced the VU Elevenses program as a positive program during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the vast majority of staff agreed that they found the content helpful for their mental health and well-being. Similarly, high levels of satisfaction have been reported in multiple other online interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 40 , 41 ], indicating that it may be viable to deliver mental health interventions online. Additionally, many participants agreed that they felt more connected with their peers and the university due to the VU Elevenses program.…”

COVID-19-Related Burden and Risk Perception in Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Increased prevalence of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and COVID-19-related fear in patients with CIDP or MMN highlights the need for evidence-driven strategies to protect and improve mental health of vulnerable groups, such as patients affected by chronic diseases, during the ongoing pandemic. Mindfulness and skill-based e-mental health interventions like “CoPE It” have been shown to successfully reduce distress, depression, and anxiety in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 45 ]. Such programs could be adapted towards the needs of individuals with CIDP or MMN and deliver psychological interventions in a flexible way.…”

COVID-19-Related Psychosocial Care in General Hospitals: Results of an Online Survey of Psychosomatic, Psychiatric, and Psychological Consultation and Liaison Services in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

“…In addition, staff members were frequently informed of COVID-psyCare services via senior executives. Many CL services implemented telepsychiatry options for patients as well as for staff (16,(19)(20)(21). During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that for many patients, telepsychiatry consultation works well ( 22), but problems with IT were met for the often geriatric clientele; all in all, a substantial portion of CL work must be performed face-to-face, and it is necessary to triage for appropriateness for telepsychiatry consultation (2).…”

“…Ideally, an integrated continuum of care approach should be instituted, including E-Mental Health Interventions (21), crisis leadership consultation and training, staff peer support teams, multidisciplinary rounds, recreation spaces, wellness programs, support groups, and psychological/psychiatric services (29)(30)(31). Such coordinated programs may be cost-effective because of their positive effects on absenteeism and turnover (32,33).…”