Boosting positive mood in medical and emergency personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary evidence of efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a novel online ambulatory intervention

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this project was to test the efficacy of a brief and novel online ambulatory intervention aimed at supporting psychological health and well-being for medical personnel and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsInterested participants, n=28, actively employed as medical personnel, support staff and emergency responders, in the Midwestern USA in May–June of 2020, provided informed consent and were randomised to complete either low-dose or high-dose intervention, one time daily for 1 week via smartphone application. Each daily intervention included expressive writing, adaptive emotion regulation activity and (one vs two) positive emotion-generation activities, lasting 3–6 min a day. Ratings of negative and positive emotion were provided before and after each activity daily. Analyses tested compliance, acceptability, as well as efficacy at increasing positive emotion and decreasing negative emotion with each use and across time.ResultsThe results indicated a 13% increase in positive emotion, t(25)=2.01, p=0.056; and decrease in negative emotion by 44%, t(25)=−4.00, p=0.001 across both doses. However, there was a clear advantage for individuals in the high-dose condition as daily boosts in positive emotion were significantly greater (an additional 9.4%) B=0.47, p=0.018. Overall, compliance was good. Acceptability ratings were good for those who completed the follow-up assessment.ConclusionFront-line personnel, including medical staff and emergency responders, are experiencing unprecedented psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investigation suggests both feasibility and efficacy for a brief, daily, ambulatory intervention which could provide essential psychological support to individuals at risk in the workplace.

Prospering in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: The effects of PROSPER-based intervention on psychological outcomes among preschool teachers

“…Given its comprehensiveness, the PROSPER framework may be particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic; for example, a recent investigation ( Lee et al, 2022 ) has demonstrated that a 4-session PROSPER-based psychological intervention program enhanced positive relationships with peers among pre-service teachers in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also research showing how its dimensions, such as positive emotions ( Coifman et al, 2021 ), relationships ( Hutchinson et al, 2021 ), perceived competence ( Behzadnia & FatahModares, 2020 ), resilience ( Pink et al, 2021 ), strengths ( Datu, Yuen, et al, 2022 ; Datu, Valdez, et al, 2022 ), engagement ( Ployhart et al, 2021 ), and meaning in life ( Newman et al, 2021 ), operate as either protective psychological resources or key psychological outcomes during the pandemic. Furthermore, the present research organized well-being outcomes into two broad categories, namely intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions, given that previous literature ( Ryff, 1995 ) has offered a more nuanced approach in understanding the role of PWB's dimensions in different cultural contexts.…”

Examining the Effectiveness of Web-Based Interventions to Enhance Resilience in Health Care Professionals: Systematic Review

“…The study durations ranged from 1 week to 15 months; one study did not report this information [ 47 ]. Studies were conducted across a variety of international settings; 4 were conducted in the United States [ 48 - 50 ], whereas the remainder were conducted in Iran [ 47 ], Germany [ 51 ], Australia [ 52 ], and the Netherlands [ 53 ]. Study participants included a range of health care professional disciplines (n=1573), and studies were carried out in academic university settings [ 49 , 50 , 54 ] or on study programs within health care settings [ 48 , 51 - 53 ]; one study did not provide this information [ 47 ].…”

“…Studies were conducted across a variety of international settings; 4 were conducted in the United States [ 48 - 50 ], whereas the remainder were conducted in Iran [ 47 ], Germany [ 51 ], Australia [ 52 ], and the Netherlands [ 53 ]. Study participants included a range of health care professional disciplines (n=1573), and studies were carried out in academic university settings [ 49 , 50 , 54 ] or on study programs within health care settings [ 48 , 51 - 53 ]; one study did not provide this information [ 47 ]. Of the 4 health care settings, 1 (25%) study was conducted in a rural primary care setting [ 52 ], 1 (25%) was conducted in hospital and ambulance departments [ 51 ], 1 (25%) was conducted across 2 urban hospitals and police and fire departments [ 48 ], and 1 (25%) was conducted across a variety of health care institutions [ 51 ].…”

“…Of the 4 randomized controlled trial studies included in the review, all aimed to evaluate the impact of a web-based resilience, or proxy resilience, intervention in health care professionals directly involved in delivering patient care. One study focused on an intervention aimed at health care workers in general [ 53 ], one focused on physicians [ 52 ], one focused on nurses [ 51 ], and one focused on medical personnel and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 48 ]. The duration of the interventions varied, ranging from 1 week to 1 month.…”

“…The interventions of the studies were delivered via a variety of formats. These included web-based groups [ 52 ], mobile apps [ 48 , 53 ], and other web-based platforms [ 51 ]. Some studies adopted specific therapeutic approaches or techniques, including the Balint groups [ 52 ], the Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions technique [ 51 ], and a daily coping toolkit [ 48 ].…”