Nonlinear relationships between fatigue, fear of COVID-19, and PTSD among mental health professionals: the findings of a multi-site survey in China.

Mental health professionals in China faced significant psychological challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly fatigue and fear related to the virus. Researchers surveyed nearly 10,000 mental healthcare workers who had recovered from COVID-19 to understand how exhaustion affected their mental health. The study found that almost 7% experienced significant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, while over 61% reported substantial fear of COVID-19. The key discovery was that fatigue didn't have a simple relationship with these mental health problems—instead, the connection was more complex. As fatigue increased to moderate levels, its link to PTSD symptoms grew stronger, suggesting that mental health workers experiencing mounting exhaustion were at particularly high risk for trauma-related symptoms. The relationship between fatigue and fear of COVID-19 showed a different pattern, with the connection weakening at higher fatigue levels. This research highlights that healthcare workers, especially those in mental health fields, need regular monitoring and support during public health crises. For acupuncture practitioners working with healthcare professionals or patients experiencing pandemic-related stress, these findings suggest that addressing fatigue may be an important component of treatment plans. Acupuncture has traditionally been used to address fatigue, stress, and anxiety-related conditions, though more research is needed specifically for pandemic-related psychological symptoms. Patients interested in acupuncture for stress-related conditions should seek treatment from a licensed acupuncturist with appropriate credentials.

This multi-site cross-sectional survey of 9,858 COVID-recovered mental health professionals in China (January-February 2023) examined nonlinear associations between fatigue, PTSD, and fear of COVID-19 (FOC). PTSD prevalence (PCL-C ≥50) was 6.85% (95% CI: 6.35-7.35%), while significant FOC (FCV-19S ≥16) affected 61.28% (95% CI: 60.32-62.24%). Fatigue demonstrated significant associations with both PTSD symptomatology (OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.65-1.86, p<0.001) and FOC severity (OR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.16-1.21, p<0.001). Restricted cubic splines analysis revealed nonlinear relationships: fatigue's association with PTSD symptoms strengthened up to an inflection point of 5.00 on the VAS, while its association with FOC showed decelerating growth. Clinical takeaway: Fatigue assessment may serve as an important screening indicator for psychological distress in healthcare workers during public health emergencies, warranting proactive intervention strategies including potential integrative approaches for fatigue management.