A Feasibility Study Combining Psycho-Education and Mind-Body Complementary Approaches to Support Those with Post COVID-19 Syndrome ‘Long COVID’ in a UK Based Community Setting

Introduction: Post covid-19 syndrome or Long covid has been estimated to impact 1.3 million individuals in the UK. This study explores the feasibility of delivering a complementary Long Covid support service using psycho-educational and mind-body approaches within a community setting. Methods: This study utilised mixed methods to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a complementary approach to long covid support. The service offered a package of care including group sessions combining psycho-education 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. 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: N=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 because of 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.