Interventions to support mental health in people with long COVID: a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction Long COVID (LC) is a multisystem disease with symptoms lasting weeks or months beyond the acute COVID-19 infection. Several manifestations are reported by people with LC, including effects on mental health, with varying degrees of psychological distress and disturbances to daily activities. Research conducted to identify effective interventions to support mental health among people with LC has been limited by the breadth and scope of studies. Aim This review aims to identify interventions being tested to support mental health of people with LC. Methods A scoping review was conducted by searching five databases for articles published between January 2020 and early October 2022 to identify research evaluating interventions focused on improving mental health symptoms associated with LC. Results from all sources were checked for eligibility by two reviewers, and agreements were resolved by discussion. Gray literature and reference list of included studies and relevant reviews were scrutinised to identify any additional studies. Data extraction was conducted by one reviewer and checked by another reviewer for accuracy. Results Of the 940 studies identified, 17 were included, the design of which varied but included mainly case studies (n = 6) and clinical trials (n = 5). Several interventions were described, ranging from single interventions (e.g., pharmacologic) to more holistic, comprehensive suites of services (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic). Several mental health outcomes were measured, mostly anxiety and depression. All included studies were reported to be associated with improvements in participants’ mental health outcomes. Conclusion This scoping review identified studies reporting on a variety of interventions to support mental health among people with LC. Although positive changes were reported by all studies, some were case studies and thus their findings must be interpreted with caution. There is a need for more research to be conducted to identify the impact of interventions on mental health of people with LC.

Patient experiences of the Long COVID–Optimal Health Programme: a qualitative interview study in community settings

“…7 , 8 It is a multisystem disease with a possible 200+ symptoms that impact on people’s health, affecting their daily activities. 9 – 16 LC has been associated with deteriorating mental health 11 , 17 – 19 and increased risk of neurological conditions. 20 LC risk factors include female sex, older age, low socioeconomic status, concomitant chronic illness, obesity, smoking, and initial disease severity.…”

Neurological Manifestations of Long COVID: A Single-Center One-Year Experience [Response to Letter]

“…1,2 The high prevalence of anxiety or depressive symptoms among those who have experienced even mild infections from SARS-CoV-2 suggests that therapeutic strategies should not be limited to pharmacological treatment but should involve psychological support. 3 It is worth noting that traditional Chinese medicine is still not widely recognized in Europe, and its role has been marginal in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in most European and American countries. Although acupuncture has been included in treatment options for conditions such as tension-type headache, migraine, and fibromyalgia, 4 its role in managing long-COVID has yet to be defined.…”

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online mindful walking intervention among COVID-19 long haulers: A mixed method study including daily diary surveys

“…A growing number of interventions have been developed to address the well-being of long haulers. A comprehensive scoping review highlighted a range of interventions from singular approaches like pharmacological treatments, electromagnetic field sessions, and dietary modifications, to holistic programs encompassing multiple health components (Al-Jabr et al, 2023). These integrated programs touched upon aspects such as rehabilitation, lifestyle changes, stress management, sleep hygiene, breathing techniques, dietary optimization, energy conservation, psychoeducation, maintaining social interactions, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).…”