This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate the efficacy of a psychologicalintervention for long COVID (LC) / post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) called Balance Acceptanceand Commitment Therapy (Balance ACT).The primary objective of this trial is to investigate whether Balance-ACT improvesquality of life over treatment as usual (i.e., self-help leaflet) in people with PCS/LC.
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Behavioral: Balance Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Balance-ACT is an ACT-based psychological intervention specifically designed for people
with PCS/LC. Balance-ACT will use ACT techniques and mindfulness and will focus on
establishing a balance psychologically and physiologically and regulating homeostasis.
More specifically, Balance ACT will aim to regulate behaviours such as sleep, stress and
activity, which can subsequently have an impact on homeostasis and physiology.
Balance-ACT will also encourage people to live a values-based life and set goals
according to their values.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Age 18 or older
2. LC/PCS diagnosis as defined by National Health Service (NHS) / National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (i.e., symptoms that develop during or after
an infection consistent with COVID-19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not
explained by an alternative diagnosis). A checklist will be used to ensure
participants fulfil the diagnostic criteria as per the NICE guidelines
3. Ability to travel to the research site for the study assessments
4. Consent to wear a smartwatch throughout the study
5. Having registered with a General Practitioner (GP) in the United Kingdom (UK) and
consent to provide their details for the study team to contact
6. Ability to provide informed consent
7. Ability to read and write English
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Current diagnosis of an active major mental health disorder likely to interfere with
participation
2. Unstable alcohol / drug dependency
3. Unstable complications associated with LC/PCS
4. Past hospitalisation for COVID-19
5. Current or recent participation in other treatment intervention studies (<4 weeks
after completion)
6. Currently receiving psychological support or psychotherapy
7. Implanted medical devices (ie., Pacemaker/defibrillator or implanted
neurostimulator/infusion device; implanted metal objects; artificial hip/knee
replacement, spinal surgery; cardiac surgery requiring the placement of metal clips,
valves or wires)
8. Pregnancy
Not Provided
Trudie Chalder, PhD
+44 (0)20 7848 0406
trudie.chalder@kcl.ac.uk
Caroline Jolley, PhD
caroline.jolley@kcl.ac.uk
Not Provided