Recruiting

Effectiveness and Acceptability of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in People With Long COVID-19.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT06928480

PhaseNA

Enrollment90

SponsorInstituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón

Age18 Years

SexALL

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Conditions studied

Long Covid-19, Emotional Disorder, Anxiety, Depression Disorders, Emotion Regulation

About this study

This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) aims to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of the Unified Protocol (UP) in an online group format for the treatment of emotional disorders in adults. Participants will be 90 adults (45 in the control group and 45 in the experimental group) with diagnosis of long COVID and comorbid emotional disorders. Participants will be recruited at Hospital Royo Villanova from Zaragoza, Spain. In this study it will be explored whether the changes obtained after the intervention in emotional disorders and cognitive complaints are maintained over 12 months. Additionally, levels of chronic stress will be longitudinally evaluated in the experimental group through accumulated cortisol levels in hair, before and after the application of the UP.

Interventions

Behavioral: Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders — This transdiagnostic psychological intervention is focused on training emotion regulation skills. This program is composed by 8 modules (core modules are 3 to 7). In this study we will use a group online format (videocalls). Each sessin will last 2 hours. The contents of the UP will be distributed in 12 online sessions as follows: * Module 1 (session 1): Setting goals and maintaining motivation. * Module 2 (sessions 2 and 3): Understanding your emotions. * Module 3 (sessions 4 and 5): Mindful Emotions Awareness. * Module 4 (sessions 6 and 7): Flexible thinking. * Module 5 (session 8): Emotional baheviors. * Module 6 (session 9): Facing physical sensations. * Module 7 (sessions 10 and 11): Emotionl exposures. * Module 8 (Session 12): Relapse prevention.
Other: Treatment as Usual (TAU) — This intervention will act as a control condition. During the waiting period (12 weeks) participants assigned to this condition will continue receiving Treatment As Usual at the Royo Villanova Hospital. It consists of regular contact with doctors to monitor the physical symptomsof long COVID-19. After the 12 weeks, participants in this conditions will join the experimental group and they will receive the psychological intervention following the same procedure described for the experimental condition.

Primary outcomes

General Depression Severity and Interference Scale (ODSIS; Bentley et al., 2014. Validated in Spanish by Osma et al., 2019) (Before the treatment, after the treatment, at three points follow up (3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention ended))
General Severity and Interference Scale for Anxiety (OASIS; Norman et al., 2006. Validated in Spanish by Osma et al., 2019) (Before the treatment, after the treatment, at three points follow up (3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention ended))

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Residing in Autonomous Community of Aragon (Spain). * Being at least 18 years old. * Understanding of Spanish. * Being diagnosed with long COVID-19: documented SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence of symptoms beyond 12 weeks after the acute infection. * Symptoms of depression (ODSIS≥7) and/or anxiety (OASIS≥8). * Meeting the criteria for an emotional disorder diagnosis. * Having access to Internet. * Signing the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-existing emotional symptoms prior to the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. * Actually receiving psychological treatment. * Having a diagnosis of severe mental disorder (e.g., personality disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.). * Active suicidal ideation at the time of the assessment. * Individuals on psychotropic medication must maintain their dosage throughout the study, unless medically contraindicated.

Study locations

Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50015 Spain
Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, Spain

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.