ABSTRACT
Many healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic are experiencing clinical levels of mental health symptoms. Evidence-based interventions to address these symptoms are urgently needed. RESTORE (Recovering from Extreme Stressors Through Online Resources and E-health) is an online guided transdiagnostic intervention including cognitive-behavioral interventions. It was specifically designed to improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with COVID-19-related traumatic and extreme stressors. The aims of the present study were to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of RESTORE in healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted an initial uncontrolled trial of RESTORE in 21 healthcare workers who were exposed to COVID-19-related traumatic or extremely stressful experiences in the context of their work and who screened positive for clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD symptoms. RESTORE was found to be feasible and safe, and led to statistically significant and large effect size improvements in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms over the course of the intervention through follow-up. RESTORE has the potential to become a widely disseminable evidence-based intervention to address mental health symptoms associated with mass traumas.Clinical Trials Registration: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04873622.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Health , Health Personnel , Humans , Internet , PandemicsABSTRACT
Background: Frontline healthcare workers, recovered COVID+ patients who had severe illness, and close others of COVID+ patients who have recovered or died are at risk for clinical levels of mental health symptoms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESTORE (Recovering from Extreme Stressors Through Online Resources and E-health) was specifically designed for this context. RESTORE is a transdiagnostic guided online intervention adapted from evidence-based cognitive-behavioural therapies. Objectives: RESTORE was designed to address depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms associated with exposure to COVID-19-related traumatic and extreme stressors, and to overcome multiple barriers to accessing psychotherapies. Method: This paper describes the intervention components and platform, as well as the principles used to develop RESTORE. Current research and future directions in developing and testing RESTORE are outlined. Results: Preliminary data from an initial uncontrolled trial evaluating RESTORE in frontline healthcare workers is highly promising. Conclusion: We believe RESTORE has great potential to provide accessible, evidence-based psychological intervention to those in great need.
Antecedentes: Los trabajadores de salud de primera línea, los pacientes de COVID positivo recuperados que tenían una enfermedad grave y las personas cercanas a los pacientes de COVID positivo que se han recuperado o fallecido están en riesgo de presentar niveles clínicos de síntomas de salud mental en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19. RESTORE (por sus siglas en inglés: Recovering from Extreme Stressors Through Online Resources and E-health: Recuperación de estresores extremos a través de recursos en línea y salud electrónica) fue diseñada específicamente para este contexto. RESTORE es una intervención en línea guiada transdiagnóstica adaptada de terapias cognitivo-conductuales basadas en la evidencia.Objetivos: RESTORE fue diseñado para abordar la depresión, la ansiedad y los síntomas del trastorno de estrés postraumático asociados con la exposición a factores estresantes traumáticos y extremos relacionados con COVID-19, y para superar múltiples barreras para acceder a psicoterapias.Método: Este artículo describe los componentes y la plataforma de la intervención, así como los principios utilizados para desarrollar RESTORE. Se describen las investigaciones actuales y las direcciones futuras para desarrollar y testear RESTORE.Resultados: Los datos preliminares de un ensayo inicial no controlado que evalúa RESTORE en trabajadores de salud de primera línea son muy prometedores.Conclusión: Creemos que RESTORE tiene un gran potencial para brindar una intervención psicológica accesible y basada en la evidencia a quienes más lo necesitan.