Possibilities to improve the psycho-emotional state of children with respiratory tuberculosis in in-patient settings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The objective: to evaluate changes in parameters of psycho-emotional state in children with respiratory tuberculosis (RTB) in in-patient settings after psychological management using relaxation and mindfulness practices and telephone counseling.Subjects and Methods. 64 children ill with respiratory tuberculosis aged 6-13 years old were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: those examined before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2019 – February 2020) (n = 30) and those examined during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 – February 2022) (n = 34). In the groups, the levels of emotional tension, anxiety and excitement in children were studied. The article also presents comparative assessment of changes in the parameters of psycho-emotional state in the group of children examined during the pandemic and after 2 months of psychological management.Results. Children admitted to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly more likely to have abnormal parameters of psychoemotional state versus children hospitalized before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After 2 months of psychological management using relaxation and mindfulness practices and telephone counseling, most children demonstrated improvement of their psycho-emotional state parameters.