Introduction: Worries about the immediate and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may for some individuals develop into pervasive worry that is disproportionate in its intensity or duration and significantly interferes with everyday life. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if a brief self-guided, online psychological intervention can reduce the degree of dysfunctional worry related to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated symptoms. Methods: 670 adults from the Swedish general population reporting daily uncontrollable worry about CO­VID-19 and its possible consequences (e.g., illness, death, the economy, one’s family) were randomised (1:1 ratio) to a 3-week self-guided, online cognitive behavioural intervention targeting dysfunctional COVID-19 worry and associated symptoms, or a waiting list of equal duration. The primary outcome measure was a COVID-19 adapted version of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale administered at baseline and weeks 1–3 (primary endpoint). Follow-up assessments were conducted 1 month after treatment completion. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04341922) before inclusion of the first participant. Results: The main pre-specified intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant reductions in COVID-19-related worry for the intervention group compared to the waiting list (β = 1.14, Z = 9.27, p #x3c; 0.001), corresponding to a medium effect size (bootstrapped d = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.58–0.90]). Improvements were also seen on all secondary measures, including mood, daily functioning, insomnia, and intolerance of uncertainty. Participant satisfaction was high. No serious adverse events were recorded. Conclusions: A brief digital and easily scalable self-guided psychological intervention can significantly reduce dysfunctional worry and associated behavioural symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychother Psychosom

中文翻译：

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对与COVID-19大流行有关的功能障碍性忧虑的简短在线认知行为干预：随机对照试验。

简介：对COVID-19大流行的直接和长期后果的担忧可能会使某些人陷入普遍的担忧，这种担忧的强度或持续时间不成比例，并严重干扰日常生活。目的：本研究的目的是调查一种简短的自我指导的在线心理干预措施是否可以减少与COVID-19大流行及相关症状有关的功能障碍性忧虑程度。方法：来自瑞典总人口的670名成年人因日常无法控制的COVID-19担忧及其可能产生的后果（例如疾病，死亡，经济，一个人的家人）而被随机分配（比例为1：1），在线进行为期3周的自我指导针对功能障碍的COVID-19忧虑和相关症状的认知行为干预，或等待时间相等的清单。主要结局指标是在基线和第1至3周（主要终点）施用的COVID-19适应版本的广义焦虑症7项量表。治疗结束后1个月进行随访评估。在包括第一位参与者之前，该试验已在ClinicalTrials.gov（NCT04341922）上进行了注册。结果：预先指定的主要意向性治疗分析表明，与等待清单相比，干预组的COVID-19相关忧虑明显减少（β= 1.14，Z = 9.27，p＃x3c； 0.001），对应于中等效应大小（自举d = 0.74 [95％CI：0.58–0.90]）。在所有辅助措施，包括情绪，日常功能，失眠和不确定性的不容忍方面，也都得到了改善。与会者满意度很高。没有记录到严重的不良事件。结论：简短的数字化和易于扩展的自我指导的心理干预措施可以显着减少与COVID-19大流行相关的功能障碍性焦虑和相关的行为症状。
心理其他心理