Combined modality therapy in elderly with psychosomatic manifestations due to postcovid-19 syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: A high percentage of patients that have suffered from covid-19 refer a series of clinical manifestations that persist after the original pattern. One of the population groups in which this happens most frequently is the elderly, to whom maximum care should be paid. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the combined modality therapy in elderly with psychosomatic manifestations due to postcovid-19 syndrome. Methods: A quasi-experiment study without control group of therapeutic intervention was carried out at Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Teaching Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from March to May, 2021. The population studied was made up of 25 patients of 60 years and over with postcovid-19 syndrome, who presented psychosomatic manifestations and received combined modality treatment (group psychotherapy and floral therapy). Sex, age and psychosomatic manifestations were analyzed as variables, as well as the response to treatment, which effectiveness was evaluated according to the proportion of patients with a satisfactory response, taking into account a significance level of 5 %. Results: There was a prevalence of the male sex and the 65-69 and 70-74 age groups. The most frequent manifestations were dyspnea, asthenia and anxiety. After applying the combined modality therapy, a significant proportion of patients with a favorable condition was achieved, since the number of psychosomatic manifestations decreased. Conclusions: Combined modality therapy was effective to reduce the number of psychosomatic manifestations in elderly with postcovid-19 syndrome.

Keywords

• terapia combinada
• psicoterapia
• esencias florales
• infecciones por coronavirus
• anciano.