Telehealth Intervention Eases Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression During COVID-19

Six weeks after undergoing an online mental health intervention (telehealth) during the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depressive symptoms were significantly lower in patients with a pre-existing medical condition.

“This shows that virtual intervention can be very effective in mitigating these mental health issues in a cost-effective way across large cohorts of patients,” said study co-author John Varga, MD, chief of the Michigan Medicine Division of Rheumatology and associate director of the scleroderma program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The international study included 172 patients with the rare autoimmune disease scleroderma, which causes tightening of the skin and connective tissue. Researchers randomized patients with at least mild anxiety symptoms to a video conference-based mental health intervention, led by trained peer support leaders 3 times a week over 4 weeks, or a waitlist. The telehealth intervention provided education and practice with mental health coping strategies and social support for groups of 6 to 10 patients.

Although the intervention did not show immediate improvements in anxiety or other mental health symptoms, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were significantly lower 6 weeks later, according to the study. Researchers reasoned that the lag might reflect the time necessary for the newly taught skills and social support among participants to take route and ease mental health symptoms.

The study provides a paradigm for navigating future public health issues that increase anxiety in patient populations, Dr Varga noted.

“If something else comes along where people with a chronic disease are vulnerable or anxious, you can intervene in a virtual way that has a measurable impact,” he said. “This allows participants to be educated on staying connected, physical activity, and managing worry and stress. It sends a very positive message."

—Jolynn Tumolo

References

Thombs BD, Kwakkenbos L, Levis B, et al. Effects of a multi-faceted education and support programme on anxiety symptoms among people with systemic sclerosis and anxiety during COVID-19 (SPIN-CHAT): a two-arm parallel, partially nested, randomised, controlled trial. Lancet Rheumatol. 2021;3(6):e427-e437. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00060-6

Online mental health intervention significantly helps the isolated, immunosuppressed during pandemic. News release. Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan; June 15, 2021. Accessed June 21, 2021.