Brough DN, Abel S, Priddle L. A service evaluation of a community project combining psychoeducation and mind-body complementary approaches to support those with long covid in the UK.
Eur J Integr Med 2022;
55:102182. [PMID:
36035093 PMCID:
PMC9392656 DOI:
10.1016/j.eujim.2022.102182]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Post covid-19 syndrome or Long Covid has been estimated to impact 1.3 million individuals in the UK. This study evaluates the outcomes of delivering a complementary Long Covid support service using psycho-educational and mind-body approaches within a community setting.
Methods
This study utilised quantitative methods to evaluate the outcomes of implementing a complementary approach to providing Long Covid support. The service offered a package of care including group sessions combining psychoeducation and mind-body complementary approaches and optional 1:2:1 sessions (physiotherapy and craniosacral therapy (CST)). Screening for the service and health information was obtained using the Covid-19-Yorkshire Rehabilitation Screening tool (C-19 YRS). The impact of the service was assessed using the patient reported outcome measure: Warwick Holistic Health Questionnaire (WHHQ-18), and a survey was designed for general evaluation and feedback about the service from participants.
Results
25 participants engaged with the service. The C-19YRS proved to be a useful tool to screen service users. The WHHQ-18 highlighted a positive group change (n = 16) in participants’ mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing: mean group score at the start = 33.7 (SD=12.5), mean group score at the follow up = 39.5 (SD=10.8). In the feedback from the service evaluation, participants reported that the service was useful in supporting them with their health challenges resulting from Long Covid and was delivered to the standard expected.
Conclusion
In conclusion the psycho-educational and mind-body complementary approaches used within this service were well received and the measures used to evaluate were suitable for a service delivered within a community setting.
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