Effectiveness and Acceptability of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in People With Long COVID-19.

Effectiveness and Acceptability of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in People With Long COVID-19.

This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) aims to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of the Unified Protocol (UP) in an online group format for the treatment of emotional disorders in adults. Participants will be 90 adults (45 in the control group and 45 in the experimental group) with diagnosis of long COVID and comorbid emotional disorders. Participants will be recruited at Hospital Royo Villanova from Zaragoza, Spain.

In this study it will be explored whether the changes obtained after the intervention in emotional disorders and cognitive complaints are maintained over 12 months. Additionally, levels of chronic stress will be longitudinally evaluated in the experimental group through accumulated cortisol levels in hair, before and after the application of the UP.

The COVID-19 disease has caused one of the largest pandemics in history, with significant health, social, and economic negative consequences. A significant proportion of the population has not overcome these negative consequences. It has been found that 10-20% of patients with COVID-19 do not recover their previous health status and develop persistent symptoms over time. This condition has been defined by the WHO as post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID-19, characterized by the presence of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that can last for months or even years after the acute COVID-19 infection. Some of the most prevalent symptoms are fatigue, difficulty breathing, and cognitive dysfunction, in addition to significant psychological impairments. Among these, emotional disorders (ED) are the most commonly reported in this population, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and related conditions.

The Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) is a transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-based pychological intervention, which has proven to be effective for the treatment of emotional disorders in different populations. The UP is focused on improving emotion regulation skills.

The main objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the Unified Protocol (UP) in an online group format for the treatment of emotional disorders in 90 adults (45 in the control group and 45 in the experimental group) with long COVID and a comorbid emotional disorder. The researchers hypothesize that the application of the UP will result in a significant reduction in emotional symptoms in the experimental group, compared to the control group. To analyze this results, the evolution of symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms, etc.) will be assessed over time (before and after the intervention, as well as up to 12 months follow-up). Additionally, the acceptability and satisfaction of participants after receiving the UP will be analyzed, and it will be examined whether changes in emotional symptoms are associated with changes in long COVID physical symptoms. Changes in cortisol and cortisona levels will be longitudinally examined in the experimental group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Residing in Autonomous Community of Aragon (Spain).
• Being at least 18 years old.
• Understanding of Spanish.
• Being diagnosed with long COVID-19: documented SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence of symptoms beyond 12 weeks after the acute infection.
• Symptoms of depression (ODSIS≥7) and/or anxiety (OASIS≥8).
• Meeting the criteria for an emotional disorder diagnosis.
• Having access to Internet.
• Signing the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing emotional symptoms prior to the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Actually receiving psychological treatment.
• Having a diagnosis of severe mental disorder (e.g., personality disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.).
• Active suicidal ideation at the time of the assessment.
• Individuals on psychotropic medication must maintain their dosage throughout the study, unless medically contraindicated.