COVID-19 Vocational Intervention Development
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neuropsychiatric features of Post-COVID-19 syndrome and their impact on vocational function: A case control study with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls, and development of a return to work intervention for COVID-19 patients.
IRAS ID
292227
Contact name
R Morriss
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11563542
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 27 days
Research summary
Research Summary
It has become apparent that some patients who recovered from COVID-19 now struggle to return to work due to a post-COVID-19 syndrome, recently labelled "long COVID". Symptoms seem to include extreme fatigue, anxiety, breathlessness, and poor appetite/diarrhoea but the syndrome remains poorly understood. Patients have reported a need for help to return to work - however, research has focused on physical rehabilitation and the impact of the pandemic on mental health. There is a need for preliminary research to get an in-depth understanding of those challenges for COVID-19 patients, compared to people recovering from multiple Sclerosis (another condition characterised by an inflammatory process, fatigue, depression, and anxiety for which vocational intervention have been developed) to capture the patient's experience and highlight how current rehabilitation approaches may be adapted to the need of COVID-19 survivors.
A first study will assess physical and psychological symptoms of COVID-19, multiple sclerosis patients, and healthy controls recruited online (surveys). 30 participants in each group who have consented to be contacted will be further assessed and participate in a recorded interview to explore the barriers and facilitators to return to work - further assessment and interview will be conducted over the phone. As participants will not be approached through the NHS, this study will seek approval from the UoN ethics committee.
A second study will focus on an intervention development to support COVID-19 survivors to return to work. A Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) intervention for critical illness involving an occupational therapist delivered remotely will be adapted. Further intervention developments will be informed from three workshops with patients and clinicians discussing the needs for this population and the findings from study 1. The aim is to recruit six participants and organise a workshop before starting after three participants have completed the treatment and after all six participants have completed the treatment.
Summary of Results
This study implemented a 12-week intervention for individuals experiencing long-term effects of COVID-19. Three participants at each site, all from ethnic minorities, received the intervention between June 4, 2021, and June 14, 2022. Three participants were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, while two were investigated for additional conditions. Two had close relatives who died from COVID-19. The intervention aimed to address various issues, with a focus on 'Current issues,' fatigue, breathlessness, and psychological challenges.
Before the intervention, all participants were employed or in full-time education. At the end of the intervention, five participants remained in work, with varied changes in working hours. Participants set their own goals, and most reported successful outcomes.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) delivered the intervention, spending 3301 minutes face-to-face and 5220 minutes on administrative tasks. The intervention was delivered online or through phone calls.
Overall, the study highlighted positive outcomes in participants returning to work or education and achieving self-set goals. Adherence to the intervention was high, with one participant initially resistant but eventually engaging after 12 weeks.
The qualitative interviews demonstrated that the intervention significantly improved participants' mental well-being by providing emotional support, understanding, and tailored rehabilitation. Participants gained practical knowledge about managing symptoms and accessing resources, leading to positive impacts on day-to-day life. The intervention facilitated a successful return to work through communication and planning with employers, including reasonable adjustments and phased returns. Participants found the intervention valuable, with remote delivery offering flexibility but face-to-face sessions being preferred for emotional expression. The OT's experience and strong relationship with participants played a crucial role in the intervention's success.
This highlighted the positive outcomes of the intervention in addressing various aspects of participants' lives affected by long-term effects of COVID-19.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0039
Date of REC Opinion
18 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion