ENGAGE Intervention for Post-COVID Support in People With Disabilities

Overseen By Jessica Kersey, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Disqualifiers: Severe communication impairment

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

21 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the effects of a program called ENGAGE, designed to assist people with disabilities who have felt isolated due to the pandemic. The goal is to assess how well the program helps participants become more socially active and to gather feedback for future improvements. Participants should identify as disabled, face challenges with social interaction, and live in a community setting. The study will focus on participants' engagement with the program and their satisfaction.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to developing a program that could significantly enhance social engagement for people with disabilities.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the ENGAGE intervention is safe for people with disabilities?

Research has shown that the ENGAGE program avoids medications or physical treatments, often resulting in fewer safety concerns. It emphasizes social learning and problem-solving to enhance social participation for people with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The self-management approach of ENGAGE generally makes it easy for participants to handle. No reports of negative effects have emerged from this type of program. The main goal is to help people connect and engage more effectively in their communities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the ENGAGE intervention because it offers a fresh approach to supporting people with disabilities post-COVID by focusing on enhancing social participation. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on medical or physical rehabilitation, ENGAGE uses social learning, guided problem-solving, and applied skill training. This group intervention encourages self-management and community involvement, which could lead to improved quality of life and social integration for participants. By promoting these skills, ENGAGE aims to address the social and emotional challenges uniquely faced by this population in the pandemic's aftermath.

What evidence suggests that the ENGAGE intervention is effective for addressing social isolation in people with disabilities?

Research shows that community programs can assist people with disabilities who feel isolated due to COVID-19. The ENGAGE program, provided to participants in this trial, uses social learning and skill training to boost social involvement. Studies have found that similar programs can enhance social interactions and reduce loneliness. One study supported the use of online programs for people with disabilities, demonstrating their effectiveness. These findings suggest ENGAGE may improve social involvement and lessen feelings of isolation. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Joy Hammel, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Illinois Chicago

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals with disabilities who feel socially isolated, especially due to the pandemic. They must live in a community setting and be able to express their interest in participating verbally. People with severe communication impairments that limit this ability cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

You report issues with engaging in social activities.

You identify yourself as having a disability.

You are residing in a communal environment.

Exclusion Criteria

You have difficulty communicating and may not be able to express your interest in participating in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in the ENGAGE intervention, which uses social learning, guided problem-solving, and applied skill training to promote social participation among people with disabilities

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention and adherence, with follow-up assessments to evaluate intervention feasibility and satisfaction

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ENGAGE

Trial Overview

The study is testing ENGAGE, an intervention aimed at reducing social isolation among people with disabilities post-COVID. It's a preliminary study focusing on how well the program works in terms of attracting and keeping participants, as well as its impact on improving social involvement.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ENGAGE Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

ENGAGE uses social learning, guided problem-solving and applied skill training to promote social participation among people with disabilities within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a group intervention using a self-management framework.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Illinois at Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

653

Recruited

1,574,000+

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

Collaborator

Trials

394

Recruited

404,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Resilience Hubs provided effective psychological support for health and social care keyworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with clients reporting positive experiences and valuing the flexibility and confidentiality of the service.

Barriers to accessing Hub support included confusion about the service, negative workplace cultures, and a lack of managerial support, highlighting the need for better promotion and cultural competency to reach diverse keyworker populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing psychological support for health and social care staff affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative exploration of staff well-being hubs ('Resilience Hubs') using normalisation process theory. Allsopp, K., Varese, F., French, P., et al.[2023]

People experiencing homelessness and alcohol dependency face heightened risks from COVID-19, highlighting the need for targeted health interventions.

Managed Alcohol Programmes (MAPs) could be beneficial in reducing various harms, including those related to COVID-19, by addressing the complex health issues and substance use challenges faced by this vulnerable population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring the Potential of Implementing Managed Alcohol Programmes to Reduce Risk of COVID-19 Infection and Transmission, and Wider Harms, for People Experiencing Alcohol Dependency and Homelessness in Scotland. Parkes, T., Carver, H., Masterton, W., et al.[2022]

Peer support may be a valuable resource for individuals suffering from long COVID, especially those who are marginalized and not accessing traditional healthcare services, as highlighted by a systematic review of 57 studies.

The study identifies three key perspectives on peer support—biomedical, relational, and socio-political—and suggests that effective models should incorporate these elements to address health inequalities and improve access for underserved populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Towards evidence-based and inclusive models of peer support for long covid: A hermeneutic systematic review. Mullard, JCR., Kawalek, J., Parkin, A., et al.[2023]

A study of 100 participants with post-COVID syndrome revealed significant impairments in various body functions, particularly in fatigability (98-99%), higher cognitive functions (74-94%), and sleep functions (98%).

Participants also experienced major limitations in daily activities, such as handling stressful situations (98%) and engaging in recreational activities (94%), highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach to support recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-scored impairments in functioning and disability in post-COVID syndrome following mild COVID-19 infection. Norrefalk, JR., Borg, K., Bileviciute-Ljungar, I.[2022]

In a study of 1325 patients at a post-COVID-19 clinical service, both hospitalised and non-hospitalised individuals experienced significant ongoing symptoms, with over half reporting less than 75% optimal health and many unable to return to full-time work.

Hospitalised patients showed higher rates of serious complications like pulmonary emboli and lung abnormalities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and patient-centered care pathways to address the diverse healthcare needs of post-COVID-19 patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Post-COVID-19 assessment in a specialist clinical service: a 12-month, single-centre, prospective study in 1325 individuals. Heightman, M., Prashar, J., Hillman, TE., et al.[2022]

This study evaluates a comprehensive treatment program for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) involving online screening and personalized support, aiming to improve diagnosis and recovery for patients.

Participants will be divided into groups receiving different levels of assessment and digital interventions, with the primary focus on symptom reduction and return to work, making it one of the first large-scale efforts to address PACS effectively.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Screening and assessment for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), guidance by personal pilots and support with individual digital trainings within intersectoral care: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Dahmen, A., Keller, FM., Derksen, C., et al.[2022]

The study aims to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an eight-week online rehabilitation program (REGAIN) versus a single online consultation for adults experiencing ongoing COVID-19 symptoms more than three months after hospital discharge, involving 535 participants.

The primary outcome measured will be health-related quality of life, assessed at three months post-randomization, with secondary outcomes including physical and mental health indicators evaluated at three, six, and twelve months.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rehabilitation Exercise and psycholoGical support After covid-19 InfectioN' (REGAIN): a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. McGregor, G., Sandhu, H., Bruce, J., et al.[2022]

During the COVID-19 lockdown, peer-based recovery organizations in prisons have successfully continued and even expanded their support services, helping inmates cope with the challenges of isolation and disrupted support systems.

Lived Experience Recovery Organizations (LEROs) play a crucial role in providing ongoing care for prisoners, aiding in their recovery and facilitating their reintegration into the community, highlighting their importance during and beyond the pandemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delivering Peer-Based Support in Prisons During the COVID Pandemic and Lockdown: Innovative Activities Delivered by People Who Care. Best, D., Critchlow, T., Higham, D., et al.[2022]

The study developed a co-produced intervention for individuals with Long COVID from deprived communities, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach that included sport and exercise medicine and functional rehabilitation.

Out of ten participants recruited, eight completed the intervention, highlighting the importance of community health services in engaging individuals with Long COVID, who commonly faced challenges like fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the Acceptability of a Co-Produced Long COVID Intervention in an Underserved Community in the UK. Fowler-Davis, S., Young, R., Maden-Wilkinson, T., et al.[2022]

A survey of 1031 multiprofessional clinicians revealed strong support (95% agreement) for implementing an early post-hospital discharge recovery program to help manage ongoing symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and mood disturbances in COVID-19 survivors.

The proposed rehabilitation program should be holistic, focusing on symptom management and facilitating a return to work, while adapting existing rehabilitation services to meet the specific needs of post-COVID-19 patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

British Thoracic Society survey of rehabilitation to support recovery of the post-COVID-19 population. Singh, SJ., Barradell, AC., Greening, NJ., et al.[2021]

The national bereavement helpline, developed during the COVID pandemic, effectively meets the needs of those grieving by providing compassionate listening, educational resources, and referrals to community services, based on Psychological First Aid principles.

A six-month evaluation showed that about 10% of callers were referred to additional services, indicating the helpline's role in connecting individuals to further support, while volunteers found the experience both challenging and rewarding, highlighting the importance of supervision for their well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation and evaluation of a National Bereavement Support line in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Bates, U., Brennan, J., Keegan, O.[2023]

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted postdiagnostic dementia care in England and Wales, leading to challenges such as conflicting guidelines, reduced access to support, and the emotional toll on both patients and caregivers.

Despite some negative effects, the shift to remote working and improved collaboration among professionals resulted in beneficial adaptations, suggesting that blended care approaches (combining virtual and in-person support) may become standard practice for more resilient dementia care in the future.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changes to postdiagnostic dementia support in England and Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Wheatley, A., Poole, M., Robinson, L.[2022]

The LISTEN trial is a randomized study involving 558 non-hospitalized individuals with long COVID, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of a co-designed self-management support intervention on various aspects of daily living, including emotional well-being and quality of life.

Participants in the LISTEN intervention will receive personalized support through up to six one-on-one sessions and resources, with the trial also assessing cost-effectiveness and implementation strategies to enhance accessibility and minimize participant burden.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a personalised self-management intervention for living with long COVID: protocol for the LISTEN randomised controlled trial. Potter, C., Leggat, F., Lowe, R., et al.[2023]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a notable increase in drug-related deaths occurring at home, alongside a decrease in hospital deaths, indicating a shift in where individuals were dying during this crisis.

The study found significant increases in methadone-related deaths and suicides, highlighting the need for adapted health and social care strategies to address the unique risks faced by drug users in future emergencies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trends in deaths following drug use in England before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Sekeris, A., Algahtani, T., Aldabergenov, D., et al.[2023]

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