A Study of Positive Emotions With Long COVID-19

This is a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled clinical trial (RCT) testing a new brief self-care intervention for people suffering from post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). The overarching goal of this study is to establish the feasibility and early efficacy of microdosing mindfulness as a self-care intervention. The purpose of the intervention is to promote a sense of well-being among PASC patients who currently have limited access to other proven self-care modalities.

Our research question is whether our newly developed training can assist PASC patients to self-microdose mindfulness (5-15 seconds activities in everyday life) and improve on perceived metrics of well-being (primary outcome). Our hypothesis is that self-microdosing mindfulness will evoke positive emotions that can improve well-being on patients suffering of PASC-related symptoms beyond 3 months post COVID-19 infection. If effective, an increased frequency of the mindfulness activity will then help buffer negative emotions (e.g., anger, loneliness, etc.) experienced during the pandemic and associated with ongoing stress and/or somatic symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• Able to participate in online zoom sessions and complete online surveys for 3 months
• English speakers
• Had a mild to moderate in severity COVID-19 infection > 3 months ago, feeling unwell, and are still experiencing in the present at least one PASC-related symptoms:
• Coughing or feeling short of breath
• Loss of smell or change in taste
• Recurrent Fever
• Body aches, headaches, chest pain, or stomach pain
• Brain fog (feeling like you can't think clearly)
• Having trouble sleeping
• Feeling very tired
• Mood changes

Exclusion criteria

• Adults that were admitted to an intensive care unit or placed on a respirator, had invasive heart (heart catheterization) or lung tests (bronchoscopy) performed.
• Prisoners