Rapid Relief Online: A Randomized Trial of a Single-Session Simple-Swift Reconstruction Approach Group During the COVID-19 Surge

Objective Large-scale crises require brief, scalable, on-line mental-health interventions. We examined the effectiveness of a single 90–120 min videoconference group based on the Simple-Swift Reconstruction Approach (SSRA).Method In a parallel-group randomized trial, 277 Chinese adults were allocated to an SSRA intervention group (IG; n = 143) or a waiting-list control group (WG; n = 134). Baseline and 2-week outcomes were the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) were recorded pre- and post-session in the SSRA group. Complete-case analyses used paired or independent t tests and Cohen’s d (two-tailed α = .05).Results A total of 121 IG participants (19% male; M = 34.9 years, SD = 11.3) attended the SSRA session, producing a large immediate reduction in SUD (baseline M = 5.81, SD = 1.62; post M = 3.20, SD = 1.57; t(120) = 19.26, p < .001, d = 1.75). Two-week follow-up data were available for 71 IG and 19 WG participants (overall retention = 32.5 %). In the IG, depressive symptoms decreased (Δ = –2.14 ± 3.40; d = 0.63), anxiety decreased (Δ = –1.89 ± 2.88; d = 0.66), and self-efficacy increased (Δ = +2.28 ± 5.52; d = 0.41), all ps < .001. Compared with WG, IG showed a significantly greater reduction in PHQ-9 scores (t(24.74) = –2.60, p = .015, d = 0.76); between-group differences for GAD-7 and GSES were not significant. Age and sex did not moderate outcomes.Conclusions A one-off, on-line SSRA group produced a large immediate distress reduction and small-to-moderate short-term mood benefits, supporting SSRA as a rapid, low-intensity option during public-health emergencies. Replication with larger samples and longer follow-up is recommended. Keywords: Simple-Swift Reconstruction Approach; single-session group; on-line group counselling; COVID-19; brief intervention; psychological first aid