Investigating the Impact of Psychological Interventions in Response to Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Functioning in Covid-19 Recovered Patients

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak, in addition to the threat to physical health, may also negatively affect mental health.In this study, we intended to study the changes in psychological parameters in covid-19 recovered patients after they get the psychological intervention. This study conducted in three phases. In the first phase, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21), Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist PCL-5 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment were administered on a total of 477 covid-19 recovered patients. After a gap of 3 months, through clinical interview it was found out that 220 patients needed intervention. In the second phase of the study, psychological intervention was given to 190 patients. In the final phase, after a gap of three months from the intervention phase, all the tests were re-administered on the patients. Data were scored and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result showed that significant difference was found in the score of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD. Depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD scores were significantly reduced after intervention. (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between the MOCA score. These findings of the study suggest that, psychological intervention may have a beneficial effect on COVID-19 patients’ mental health.