Psychological interventions during COVID pandemic: Telehealth for individuals with cystic fibrosis and caregivers

Abstract

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) emerged in China, leading to worldwide morbidity and mortality, including depression and anxiety. As the pandemic spread throughout Italy, mental health concerns increased for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), who are at greater risk. The aim was to pilot a Telehealth Psychological Support Intervention for pwCF and caregivers to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety during the lockdown in Italy in March 2020. Methods This intervention utilized cognitive behavioral skills (e.g., cognitive reframing). Participants included 16 pwCF and 14 parents, who completed four individual telehealth sessions with a psychologist. Stress ratings, Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder, PHQ‐8 and GAD‐7, were completed, in addition to Feasibility and Satisfaction ratings. Results Ratings of stress significantly decreased from pre‐ to post‐testing for pwCF (paired t(14) = −4.06, p < .01) and parents (paired t = −5.2, p < .001). A large percentage of both groups scored in the clinical range for depression and anxiety at baseline (pwCF: depression/anxiety = 71%; parents: depression = 57%; anxiety = 79%); a large proportion (20%–40%) reported moderate to severe symptomatology. Significant reductions in depression for pwCF were found (pre: M = 8.0 to post: M = 4.7; paired t(14) = 2.8, p < .05) but not anxiety (pre: M = 6.9 to post: M = 5.6, t(14) = 1.2, p = NS—non‐significant). Parental depression decreased for parents (pre: M = 6.4 to post: M = 5.1, t(14) = −2.5, p < .05), but not anxiety (pre: M = 8.1 to post: M = 7.9, t(14) = −0.2, p = NS). Feasibility and Satisfaction were positive. Conclusion This telehealth intervention yielded reductions in stress and depression for participants. Anxiety did not significantly decrease, possibly because COVID was ongoing. This feasible, satisfactory intervention was effective for improving mental health.

The Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in Mainland China at the Early Remission Stage of the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

“…Overall, it could be inferred that the negative impact on medical service needs was the principal risk factor for anxiety and depression during the normal COVID-19 control stage, suggesting that in future pandemics the necessity and urgency of maintaining medical service capacity while in the shadow of the public health emergency will be crucial. To meet this need, online medical services and telemedicine might be important options, among other feasible countermeasures ( Shah et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020b ; Graziano et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, research on how to restore service capacity as soon as possible to meet the need for routine and delayed medical treatment in the post-pandemic period should be a part of the priority agenda.…”

COVID‐19: Impact, experiences, and support needs of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis and parents

“…The increased use of video appointments has enabled psychologists working with people with CF to continue to deliver psychological services during the pandemic, 31 and reported to be effective in reducing stress and depression in individuals with CF and caregivers. 32 …”

“…Psychologists working in CF teams have an important role to play in talking through these concerns, helping families identify adaptive coping strategies and offering psychological therapy to those experiencing longer term difficulties. The increased use of video appointments has enabled psychologists working with people with CF to continue to deliver psychological services during the pandemic, 31 and reported to be effective in reducing stress and depression in individuals with CF and caregivers 32 …”

A year in review: Real world evidence, functional monitoring and emerging therapeutics in 2021

“…Furthermore, cardiovascular complications, obstructive sleep apnea, osteopenia and skeletal fragility are all emerging problems [51] , [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] . Addressing mental health issues and promoting emotional wellness warrant ongoing attention, particularly as those with depression are at increased risk of death [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] .…”