Finding Wellness in the Pandemic

Summary

There is an immediate need for population-level intervention research to address the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its containment measures on mental health and substance use (MHSU). While online programs are available to address these issues, they are often delivered in an asynchronous format with relatively low therapist or health coaching guidance. As highlighted by a recent systematic review, positive outcomes for online mental health programs are tied to the intensity of therapist or coaching guidance, which increases cost and reduces population access to more effective online options. A way to offset cost while maintaining effectiveness is to offer MHSU programs to groups online, rather than individually. In 2019, the investigators launched an RCT to test gender-stratified group interventions to address MHSU among community-based Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults in southern Alberta. The investigators implemented the interventions with more than 200 adults before the study was paused due to COVID-19.

Conditions

• Mental Health Wellness 1
• Addiction
• Stress, Psychological
• Covid19

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Trauma Informed Yoga

One licensed yoga instructor, trained in trauma-informed yoga delivery, will lead the online sessions. Participants will be instructed to engage in the class from a mat or chair in their home or move between them as the class unfolds. The instructor will begin the class by introducing the week's theme (e.g. grounding and safety, non-attachment, imprints of the past and impacts on our reactions to COVID-19, connection to nature), followed by a breath practice (10 min), a yoga practice (50 min), a meditation practice (10 min), and closing words (10 min).

BEHAVIORAL

Trauma Informed Psychotherapy

Two licensed counsellors (MSW-trained) will co-facilitate the online version of this program. Facilitators will begin the session by introducing the week's theme (e.g. setting goals while working from home, being mindful, health coping) (10 min), followed by a lecture and activity to integrate learning (e.g. large and small group discussion using Zoom break out rooms, journaling) (70 min), and closing words (10 min).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lethbridge

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Cheryl Currie, PhD · University of Lethbridge

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-11-09

Primary Completion

2021-01-22

Completion

2021-04-20

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations