Effectiveness of Video-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on Health Anxiety and Anxiety Sensitivity of Individuals with High Levels of COVID-19 Anxiety

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive-behavioral interventions are known as first-line treatments for anxiety disorders. However, complexities such as quarantine have made it difficult to provide face-to-face intervention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention on health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity of individuals with high levels of COVID-19 anxiety. Method: The present study was semi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with the control group. According to the principles of diagnosis of health anxiety in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition and COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire, 138 participants with high levels of COVID-19 anxiety were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into two groups of experimental (n = 69) and control (n = 69). The experimental group received 10-session video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention compared to the control group. The research instruments included the COVID-19 Anxiety Questionnaire, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index. At the end, the data were analyzed by using statistical method of MANCOVA. Results: The results of this study showed that cognitive-behavioral intervention led to a reduction in health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity of experimental group participants (p < 0.001). In the meantime, the present intervention has been more effective for the components of health anxiety. Conclusion: Due to the widespread public anxiety about COVID-19 as well as the complexities of face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy, the use of video-based cognitive-behavioral intervention can be an immediate, concise, and inexpensive way to improve mental health of the community.