Assessment of psychosocial aspects in adults in post-COVID-19 condition: the EURONET-SOMA recommendations (...), 2025, Salzmann, Fink et al

Full title:
Assessment of psychosocial aspects in adults in post-COVID-19 condition: the EURONET-SOMA recommendations on core outcome domains for clinical and research use

Stefan Salzmann, Lars de Vroege, Petra Engelmann, Per Fink, Susanne Fischer, Stephan Frisch, Lise Kirstine Gormsen, Katharina Hüfner, Willem J. Kop, Ferenc Köteles, Nadine Lehnen, Bernd Löwe, Christoph Pieh, Victor Pitron, Charlotte Ulrikka Rask, Markku Sainio, Rainer Schaefert, Meike Shedden-Mora, Anne Toussaint, Roland von Känel, Ursula Werneke & Winfried Rief on behalf of the EURONET-SOMA Group

Abstract

Background
Harmonizing core outcome domains allows for pooling data, comparing interventions, and streamlining research evaluation. At the same time clinicians require concise and feasible measures for routine practice. Considering the heterogeneity of post-COVID-19 condition, a biopsychosocial approach requires sufficient coverage of the psychosocial dimension with assessments. Previous recommendations for core outcome sets have serious limitations regarding the psychosocial aspects of post-COVID-19 condition. This paper specifically focuses on psychosocial outcomes for adults with post-COVID-19 condition, providing both a comprehensive set of outcome domains for research and a streamlined clinical core set tailored for routine clinical use.

Methods
In a structured Consensus Development Approach, the European Network to improve diagnostic, treatment, and healthcare for patients with persistent somatic symptoms (EURONET-SOMA) developed psychosocial core outcome domains and assessments regarding post-COVID-19 condition. The experts identified variables and instruments which should be considered in studies on adults suffering from post-COVID-19 condition, and which are feasible in the clinical setting and relevant for research.

Results
We identified three higher-order dimensions with each encompassing several domains: The first higher-order dimension, “outcomes”, encompasses (1) the classification/ diagnostics of post-COVID-19 condition, (2) somatic symptoms (including fatigue), (3) the psychopathological status and mental comorbidities, (4) the physical status and somatic comorbidities, (5) neurocognitive symptoms, and (6) illness consequences. The second higher-order domain “mechanisms” encompasses (7) cognitive components, (8) affective components, (9) behavioral components, (10) social components, and (11) psychobiological bridge markers (e.g., neuroimmunological and psychoneuroendocrinological variables). The third higher-order domain, “risk factors”, includes factors such as (12) socioeconomic status and sociocultural factors, (13) pre-existing mental and somatic health issues, (14) personality factors (e.g., neuroticism), (15) adverse childhood experiences, (16) ongoing disability or pension claim, and (17) social media use. For each domain, specific instruments are suggested for research purposes and clinical use.

Conclusions
The recommended core domains help to increase consistency in a biopsychosocial approach to post-COVID-19 condition across investigations, improve synergies, and facilitate decision-making when comparing different interventional approaches. It allows to better identify relevant subgroups in heterogeneous post-COVID-19 condition populations offering practical tools for routine clinical practice through the clinical core set.

Open access: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-025-03927-0

 

Would it be worthwhile to dig into their funding and maybe go above their heads?
I don’t have the energy to do anything about it myself, though.

 

But has anyone tested for Thetan levels?

You don't have a holistic model of psychosocial factors unless you test for Thetan levels.

Looking at this, though, this paper is a business model update. The things they list are just the stuff they usually pretend to study, so this is the list of things they want to spend the next decade or so pretending to grasp at. It's so nakedly corrupt and biased.