SLEEP INTERVENTION

Increasing evidence indicates that recovered COVID-19 patients experienced disabling fatigue, mood and sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties and these symptoms persisted for many months after acute infection, which is defined as “Long Covid”. There is also emerging evidence supporting the key role of microbiota in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. It has been suggested that the changes in gut microbial composition following SARS-CoV-2 infection could further precipitate the development of neuropsychiatric sequelae and play a potential role in predicting the treatment response towards mental health intervention.

In this study, we aim to 1) monitor and detect the long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae through digital mental health platform and explore its association with gut microbiota in covid-19 recovered patients, and 3) provide psychological treatment and explore the potential role of gut microbiota in predicting the treatment response in digital mental health intervention in subjects with mood or sleep problems.

1.  Covid-19 survivors
2. Age and sex-matched healthy controls

We will assess the long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae in COVID-19 survivors by prospective follow-up of these patients, and their association with gut microbiota as compared to the age-sex matched healthy controls. Subjects identified with sleep and/or mood problems during the assessment will be invited to receive digital mental health intervention under close monitoring.

Study venuvenue: Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin

Study duration: 4 years of follow-up; assessment will be conducted every half or 1 year

Measurements: 1) Blood test; 2) Electrocardiogram; 3) Faecal microbiota; 4) Sleep and mental health clinical assessment; 5) Questionnaires; 6) Cognitive tasks; 7) 7-day sleep diary and actigraphy.

*Participants will receive an incentive of HK$400 coupon if they are invited to perform all the above procedure