Multidisciplinary Responses to COVID-19: Addressing Mental and Physical Health Impacts and Innovating Against Viral Threats

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted global health, necessitating multidisciplinary approaches to understand its effects on mental and physical health and to develop effective solutions.

Objective: To explore the multifaceted impacts of COVID-19 on mental and physical health and develop interdisciplinary strategies and solutions to mitigate future health threats related to the virus.

Methods: This study employed a controlled design involving 96 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, split into two groups based on their primary health complications—mental and physical. Group 1 received cognitive-behavioral therapy, while Group 2 underwent physical rehabilitation exercises. Outcomes were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale for mental health and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 for physical health, assessed at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks.

Results: Significant improvements were observed in both groups. Group 1's average GAD-7 scores decreased from 14.2 at baseline to 7.4 at week 8 (p < 0.001). Group 2 showed enhancement in SF-36 scores from 45.6 initially to 34.8 by week 8 (p < 0.001), indicating improved physical health status.

Conclusion: Tailored interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and physical rehabilitation exercises, are effective in mitigating the mental and physical health impacts of COVID-19. These findings underscore the need for continued development of targeted, multidisciplinary strategies to address pandemic-related health issues.