"People with persistent fatigue after COVID-19 benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. They are less tired and can concentrate better after treatment. Other physical complaints also decrease." That's the conclusion of the research by Amsterdam UMC and Radboudumc together with three other hospitals.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can indeed be a valuable addition for patients who fail to recover despite rehabilitation and other attempted treatments, but persistent complaints cannot be attributed solely to behavioral factors. “Gradually, more and more insights are emerging about possible explanatory mechanisms such as persistent virus, autoantibodies and a disrupted microbiome. But unfortunately, we are still waiting for a proven effective treatment,” thus Dr. Sara Biere-Rafi, general practitioner and medical advisor at C-support. “The complaints and the associated limitations can be so disabling that it is at the expense of quality of life. Psychological help can then play an important supporting role, for example if certain coping styles are not conducive to recovery or if patients are insufficiently able to limit themselves (in terms of activity, for example) or have difficulty dealing with their current situation.”
Not solely attributable to behavior
Because patients still struggle with a lack of recognition of their diagnosis in daily practice, it is important not to attribute persistent complaints after COVID-19 solely to behavioral factors. The researchers at Amsterdam UMC themselves also emphasize that the fact that behavioral therapy can help does not mean that the cause of the complaints is psychological. And not everyone benefits from behavioral therapy. It is therefore very important to continue looking for other effective treatments and physical causes of post-COVID syndrome.
