Journal of Education and Health Promotion

The effect of online cognitive behavioral therapy on depressive symptoms in recovered patients with COVID‑19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Navid Mirzakhani Araghi
. Mehdi Alizadeh Zarei 1
. Shafagh Saei 2
. Hamid Reza Yousefi Nodeh 3
. Ebrahim Mahmoudi 4

1 Department of Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Occupational Therapy, Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Occupational Therapy, Student Research Committee, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran

4 School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract
BACKGROUND: COVID‑19 virus is on the rise globally, and people with the disease experience a 
variety of physical and mental problems. According to studies, depression can be a complication of 
the virus. So far, limited measures have been taken to prevent and treat emotional–psychological 
complications of COVID‑19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of online cognitive 
behavioral therapy (CBT) on depressive symptoms in recovered patients with COVID‑19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a quasi‑experimental design. A sample 
of 150 recovered patients with COVID‑19 who referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz city, were 
selected by random sampling method. The patients’ emotional–psychological status was assessed 
by the Beck Depression Inventory, and they entered the treatment process according to the inclusion 
criteria. As a therapeutic intervention, a scientific and valid approach called CBT was implemented, 
which two occupational therapists performed in eight treatment sessions in the context of a social 
communication application. Paired sample t‑test was used to analyze the time sequence of quantitative 
data due to its normality.
RESULTS: After the last session of the intervention, the effect of this therapeutic approach on reducing 
the depressive symptoms of patients was evaluated. According to the findings, the Beck score of the 
participants decreased significantly after the intervention (MD = ‒45/9, P < 0/001).
CONCLUSION: Therefore, in order to promote the recovery of patients with COVID‑19 and help 
health authorities to develop preventive measures and effective treatment of emotional–psychological 
problems caused by this virus, it is recommended to use the online CBT approach.

Keywords

Cognitive behavioral therapy
COVID‑19
depression
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 12, Issue 2
Winter 2022
Pages 1-7

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