Psychosocial aspects of Long COVID – A psychotherapeutic treatment manual from the PsyLoCo project

Abstract

Long COVID describes long-term health sequelae after a SARSCoV-2 infection. Despite various theoretical approaches, the pathogenesis of long COVID is not yet fully understood and the diagnostic criteria are vague. This makes the development of targeted, cause-specific therapies challenging. In addition to the symptoms, many patients suffer from various psychosocial burdens and a significantly reduced quality of life. In order to address this, psychosomatic or psychotherapeutic interventions should be used in addition to symptom-oriented treatment. Within the PsyLoCo project, a psychotherapeutic treatment manual was developed that is tailored to the specific needs of long COVID patients. In four modules, it addresses (1) coping and distress management, (2) physical complaints and pain, (3) chronic fatigue and affective symptoms and (4) social and working life. The manual was tested for feasibility and effectiveness in a multicentre, randomized controlled pilot study. The contents of this treatment manual are presented below.