Individuals affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection may subsequently be affected by theso-called post-COVID syndrome. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectsof a multimodal 10-week group program consisting of self-help strategies based oncomplementary medicine approaches of TEM (Traditional European Medicine), TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine), and TIM (Traditional Indian Medicine) in addition totreatment as usual versus treatment as usual alone (no active study intervention/waitinglist). Endpoints of the study include subjective quantitative and qualitative as well asobjective (physician-reported) variables.
Not Provided
Behavioral: Complementary self-help strategies in addition to treatment as usual
The 10-week group program consists of self-help strategies from complementary medicine
approaches of TEM (Traditional European Medicine), TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine),
and TIM (Traditional Indian Medicine) in addition to treatment as usual
Other: Treatment as usual
The active control group consists a 16-week waiting period, where treatment as usual is
allowed. In case of acute worsening/progression of the symptoms, consultations with the
study physician are offered anytime. After the waiting period, the control group will be
offered the same units as in the experimental group.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age of 18 years and older
- Confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis by: 1. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or 2.
physician's letter/medical certificate/quarantine order due to ICD-10-GM U07.1 G or
ICD-10-GM U09.9 G
- Sequelae symptoms, new symptoms/disabilities, or worsening of a pre-existing medical
condition that occurred in the first 3 months after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection
and persisted for more than 2 months
- At least 8 points (moderate symptom burden) out of a possible 32 points on the
Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who were treated with invasive ventilation during active SARS-CoV-2
infection
- Severe comorbid mental illness (e.g. addiction diagnosis, major depression) or other
severe comorbid somatic illness (e.g. cancer without remission, severe pre-existing
cardiovascular disease, insufficiency of other organs such as kidney or liver, acute
febrile infection, other severe neurologic disease)
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Current pension application
- Simultaneous participation in other clinical/interventional trials
Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen
Essen, Germany
Investigator: Heidemarie Haller, PhD
Contact: +4920172377384
heidemarie.haller@uk-essen.de
Heidemarie Haller, PhD
+4920172377384
heidemarie.haller@uk-essen.de
Thi Thuy Nhi Cao
+4917647104822
nhi.cao@uk-essen.de