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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针对与 COVID-19 大流行相关的功能失调担忧的简短在线认知行为干预：一项随机对照试验


简介：对某些人来说，对 COVID-19 大流行的直接和长期后果的担忧可能会发展成普遍的担忧，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简短的自我指导在线心理干预是否可以减轻与 COVID-19 大流行及相关症状相关的功能失调的担忧程度。方法：来自瑞典普通人群的 670 名成年人每天报告对 COVID-19 及其可能后果（例如疾病、死亡、经济、家庭）的无法控制的担忧，他们被随机（1:1 比例）接受为期 3 周的自我指导、针对功能失调的 COVID-19 担忧和相关症状的在线认知行为干预，或同等期限的等待名单。主要结局指标是在基线和第 1-3 周（主要终点）进行的广泛性焦虑症 7 项量表的 COVID-19 改编版本。治疗完成后1个月进行随访评估。该试验在纳入第一位参与者之前已在 ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04341922) 上注册。结果：主要预先指定的意向治疗分析表明，与等待名单相比，干预组的 COVID-19 相关担忧显着减少（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]）。所有次要指标也都有改善，包括情绪、日常功能、失眠和对不确定性的不容忍。 参与者满意度很高。没有记录到严重的不良事件。结论：简短的数字化且易于扩展的自我引导心理干预可以显着减少与 COVID-19 大流行相关的功能障碍担忧和相关行为症状。
 心理医生