ISSN : 2663-2187

Psychological Crisis Intervention in COVID-19 Isolation Units: A Prospective Multi-Centre Study

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Dr. Abhishek Chowhan,Dr.Shabnum Riveez,Dr. Arti Sakral,Dr. Mohammed Zaheem Khan
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.7.1.2025.851-857

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented challenges, including the psychological toll of patients in isolation. This study addresses the urgent need to understand and alleviate anxiety and stress in isolated individuals, presenting a timely exploration of psychological crisis intervention efficacy. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of telephone based crisis intervention on reduction of stress and in isolation wards during the pandemic. Study Design: This was a prospective observational study. We enrolled 60 patients (from a total sample of 76) representing diverse demographics of age groups, educational backgrounds, and occupations, between 15th January, 2021 to 14th April, 2021 from government run COVID-19 isolation centre established at Government Chest Diseases Hospital Jammu and Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Primary inclusion criterion included individuals aged 18-70, experiencing isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each patient was observed and studied over a defined period of 10-days, baseline HAM-A and SARS measurements were taken on 3rd day of isolation and compared with the post-intervention scores recorded on 12th day of isolation. Mental health experts gave three intervention sessions on day three, six and nine to the patients telephonically for 25-30 minutes each. Statistical techniques, including univariate analysis (ANOVA), were employed to assess changes in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Stanford Acute Stress Questionnaire (SASRQ) scores. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Statistical analyses revealed a statistically significant reduction (p value >0.0001) in both HAM-A and SASRQ scores post-intervention. HAM-A scores decreased from a mean of 15.57±6.21 to 8.33±5.20, and SASRQ scores decreased from 71.45±26.98 to 44.30±27.25. Effect sizes of 1.36 and 1.46 for HAM-A and SASRQ, respectively, underscored the clinical significance of these reductions. Conclusion of Study: This study demonstrates usefulness of crisis interventions in hospital isolated patients with COVID-19, and will hopefully form the basis for future researches.

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