Efficacy of psychosomatic inpatient treatment of Post-COVID syndrome (funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health as part of the DISCOVER II study)
Post-COVID syndrome, characterized by persistent symptoms following acute COVID-19 infection, has emerged as a significant healthcare challenge in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue and cognitive impairment, a subgroup of Post-COVID patients develop accompanying mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. To date, there are no causal treatments available for Post-COVID-19 syndrome. While initial studies show promising effects of psychotherapeutic treatment for physical and psychological symptoms and an improvement in the quality of life and social participation (1-3), further research is needed on the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment for Post-COVID syndrome and accompanying mental illnesses.
For the treatment of Post-COVID symptoms and accompanying mental illnesses, we have established a Post-COVID specific program conducted in our Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy. We are testing the effectiveness of this concept in an observational study with control group.
Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness of a five-week psychosomatic treatment of Post-COVID patients with regard to the severity of symptoms of Post-COVID syndrome as well as accompanying psychological symptoms, fatigue, insomnia, stress experience and coping strategies.
Study management
Prof. Dr. med. Yesim Erim, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy and Post-Covid Center, University Hospital Erlangen
Study procedure and methods
60 patients presenting to the Post-COVID Center at Erlangen University Hospital will be allocated to the intervention or control group after giving their consent to participate in the study. Allocation to either control or treatment group is based on patients choice. After a detailed interdisciplinary diagnostic process, the control group receives treatment recommendations for symptom-specific treatment for Post-COVID, while the intervention group receives five weeks of inpatient treatment in our Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy in addition to the interdisciplinary diagnostic process.
The core elements of the treatment are individual and psychoeducational group therapy sessions and non-verbal psychotherapeutic interventions such as concentrative movement therapy in which illness-related distress, coping with illness, e.g. work-related problems and maintaining factors such as a high achievement motive, are treated. The psychotherapeutic interventions are supplemented by neurocognitive training and physiotherapy adapted to the individual's performance, which is based on the PACING concept.
The results of the treatment are analyzed using PROMs (= patient reported outcomes) by comparing the values before and after-treatment. Outcomes like fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms, insomnia, perceived stress and patients coping strategies as well as neurocognitive impairments are evaluated. Six months after their discharge, the participants of the treatment group complete a follow-up evaluation survey to investigate long-term results and the sustainability of the treatment effects.
1. Kupferschmitt A, et al. First results from post-COVID inpatient rehabilitation. Front Rehabil Sci. 2022;3:1093871.
2. Huth D, et al. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (CBT-PCC): a feasibility trial. Psychol Med. 2024;54(6):1122-32.
3. Kuut TA, et al. Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Targeting Severe Fatigue Following Coronavirus Disease 2019: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;77(5):687-95.
