Effects of a time-use intervention in isolated patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A randomized controlled study

Patients with coronavirus disease experience deterioration in occupational balance and mental health. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a time-use intervention on the occupational balance of isolated patients with coronavirus disease. Its impact on secondary outcomes including mental health and quality of life was also assessed.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in a single community-based hospital. Forty-one patients (19 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group) with coronavirus disease were recruited between February 1, 2021, and March 19, 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a time-use intervention or education on self-activity. The time-use intervention is to plan a daily routine to engage in meaningful occupations. It consisted of 4 steps: time-use analysis, occupation selection, arrangement of activities and practice, and occupational therapist intervention. The control group was educated on self-activity and spent time autonomously.

The primary outcome was occupational balance, evaluated using the Korean version of the Life Balance Inventory. Secondary outcomes were mental health and quality of life assessed using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Korean Form of Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale-8, Fear of Coronavirus Disease: Korean version of the Fear of Coronavirus Disease Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-BRIEF. Outcome measures were evaluated at admission and discharge.

The time-use intervention significantly improved occupational balance (F = 14.12, p < .001) and all other measures of depression, anxiety, boredom, fear, and quality of life. Conversely, the control group showed a worsening pattern for all measures.

The time-use intervention is effective for improving occupational balance, mental health, and quality of life in patients with coronavirus disease.