Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 PandemicCORANCT04331106
Survey of the Anxiety Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic
An observational study of Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
The study aims to systematically examine various aspects of the anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The data collection is carried out online with longitudinal repeated measurements. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- What is being tested?
- Online Questionnaire
- How many people
- 7,500 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 27 Mar 2020to Apr 2022
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: General population in Germany
Who may be able to join
- informed consent was given
- age ≥ 18
- able to complete the questionnaire in German
- country of residence: Germany
Who cannot join
- if at least one of the inclusion criteria is not met
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Germany1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Berlin, 10117
+49 30 450 517 285, corona-angst@charite.de
About this study
Official title: Online-based Survey of the Anxiety Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic in the General Population in Germany
The study aims to systematically examine various aspects of the anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The data collection is carried out online with longitudinal repeated measurements.
Read the detailed description
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently one of the greatest challenges for numerous countries - also for Germany. In addition to its somatic and economic consequences, the psychological dimension of the Coronavirus pandemic is discussed increasingly and is visible in public life - e.g. in the "pandemic-caused experience of threat", "loss of control" and "panic" of multiple people. The study examines the phenomenon of this "corona-related anxiety" in terms of epidemiological, clinical and psychosocial characteristics. It is investigated how "corona anxiety" affects people who already have an anxiety disorder or other mental illnesses as well as formerly mentally healthy people. It is also examined how media reporting and personal consequences of COVID-19 are connected with corona-related anxiety and if there is a need for therapeutic support regarding corona-related anxiety.
To answer these questions a longitudinal online survey targeting the general population in Germany is carried out. The survey takes place all three weeks as long as the pandemic lasts and ends with one follow-up one year later.
- Conditions
- Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Being tested
- Online Questionnaire
- Keywords
- Anxiety, Pandemic, Corona-Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Corona, Covid-19, Public Health, Mental Health, Health, Mental Disorders
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders, COVID-19, Psychological Well-Being, Mental Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Online QuestionnaireDiagnostic test
Online Questionnaire via SoSci Survey
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Population in Germany | Reasonably large and representative sample of the general population in Germany Receives: Diagnostic Test: Online Questionnaire |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
To investigate specific fears regarding the COVID-19 pandemic 9 self created items are used. Values ranging from 1 to 6, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: 1 day
COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Modified German version of the DSM-5 Severity-Measure-For-Specific-Phobia-Adult-Scale by Beesdo-Baum et al. (2014). 10 items, values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome. The Scale was adapted to anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19.
Measured: 1 day
Secondary outcomes (7)
Self-efficacy and coping with COVID-19
Self-efficacy and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic are measured with 13 self created items. Values ranging from 1 to 6; higher scores indicate a better outcome (except inverted items).
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Consequences of COVID-19 in the last three weeks.
Personal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the last three weeks are collected with five self-created items.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
General Illness Attitude
General illness attitudes are measured with 3 subscales (Worry about illness; Thanatophobia; Bodily preoccupations) of the German version of the Illness Attitude Scales (IAS) by Hiller \& Rief (2004). 9 Items; values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Media reporting
Frequency, effects and formats of consumed media related to COVID-19 are measured with 5 self created items.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression
To screen for general anxiety and depressive symptoms the German version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) by Löwe (2015) is used. 4 items; values ranging from 0 to 3, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
To investigate specific fears regarding the COVID-19 pandemic 9 self created items are used. Values ranging from 1 to 6, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Modified German version of the DSM-5 Severity-Measure-For-Specific-Phobia-Adult-Scale by Beesdo-Baum et al. (2014). 10 items, values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome. The Scale was adapted to anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19.
Measured: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Apr 2020
- Study start27 Mar 2020
- Primary completionApr 2022 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2022 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 PandemicStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Charite University, Berlin, GermanyThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 7,500 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Antonia Bendau, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Investigators
- Andreas Ströhle, Prof.Dr., Study director, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyAntonia Bendau, M.Sc.Psych., Principal investigator, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04331106
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EA1/071/20
- Acronym
- CORA
- Status last verified
- Jan 2021
- First submitted
- 27 Mar 2020
- Last updated
- 27 Jan 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Bendau A, Petzold MB, Strohle A, Plag J. Viral Transmission? A Longitudinal Study of Media Use and Its Relation to Mental Strain During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Behav Med. 2025 Apr;32(2):214-226. doi: 10.1007/s12529-024-10293-3. Epub 2024 May 20.
PubMed 38769221Bendau A, Petzold MB, Plag J, Asselmann E, Strohle A. Illness anxiety predicts higher mental strain and vaccine willingness-A nine-wave longitudinal study during the first 1.5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Stress Health. 2023 Dec;39(5):1137-1147. doi: 10.1002/smi.3255. Epub 2023 May 9.
PubMed 37158010Olsson A, Olsson M, Fedorowski A, Hagell P, Wictorin K. The Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire in Swedish tested in patients with parkinsonism. Brain Behav. 2020 Sep;10(9):e01746. doi: 10.1002/brb3.1746. Epub 2020 Jul 7.
PubMed 32633094
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Jan 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Online-based Survey of the Anxiety Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic in the General Population in Germany
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04331106
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CORA / EA1/071/20
- Conditions
- Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Keywords
- Anxiety, Pandemic, Corona-Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Corona, Covid-19, Public Health, Mental Health
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 7,500 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Charite University, Berlin, GermanyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Mar 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Apr 2022 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2022 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Apr 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study aims to systematically examine various aspects of the anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. The data collection is carried out online with longitudinal repeated measurements.
Detailed description
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently one of the greatest challenges for numerous countries - also for Germany. In addition to its somatic and economic consequences, the psychological dimension of the Coronavirus pandemic is discussed increasingly and is visible in public life - e.g. in the "pandemic-caused experience of threat", "loss of control" and "panic" of multiple people. The study examines the phenomenon of this "corona-related anxiety" in terms of epidemiological, clinical and psychosocial characteristics. It is investigated how "corona anxiety" affects people who already have an anxiety disorder or other mental illnesses as well as formerly mentally healthy people. It is also examined how media reporting and personal consequences of COVID-19 are connected with corona-related anxiety and if there is a need for therapeutic support regarding corona-related anxiety.
To answer these questions a longitudinal online survey targeting the general population in Germany is carried out. The survey takes place all three weeks as long as the pandemic lasts and ends with one follow-up one year later.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Population in Germany | – | Diagnostic Test: Online QuestionnaireReasonably large and representative sample of the general population in Germany |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- General population in Germany
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- informed consent was given
- age ≥ 18
- able to complete the questionnaire in German
- country of residence: Germany
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- if at least one of the inclusion criteria is not met
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Online QuestionnaireOnline Questionnaire via SoSci Survey | Diagnostic test | Population in Germany |
Primary outcome
Characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
Time frame: 1 day
To investigate specific fears regarding the COVID-19 pandemic 9 self created items are used. Values ranging from 1 to 6, higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Time frame: 1 day
Modified German version of the DSM-5 Severity-Measure-For-Specific-Phobia-Adult-Scale by Beesdo-Baum et al. (2014). 10 items, values ranging from 1 to 5, higher scores indicate a worse outcome. The Scale was adapted to anxiety symptoms related to COVID-19.
7 secondary outcomes
Self-efficacy and coping with COVID-19
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Consequences of COVID-19 in the last three weeks.
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
General Illness Attitude
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Media reporting
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Ultra-brief screening scale for anxiety and depression
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Change in COVID-19-related anxiety symptoms
Time frame: baseline (1 day) + after 3 weeks + after 6 weeks + after 9 weeks + after 6 months + after 7 months + after 9 months + after 12 months
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Jan 2021.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38769221Bendau A, Petzold MB, Strohle A, Plag J. Viral Transmission? A Longitudinal Study of Media Use and Its Relation to Mental Strain During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Behav Med. 2025 Apr;32(2):214-226. doi: 10.1007/s12529-024-10293-3. Epub 2024 May 20.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 37158010Bendau A, Petzold MB, Plag J, Asselmann E, Strohle A. Illness anxiety predicts higher mental strain and vaccine willingness-A nine-wave longitudinal study during the first 1.5 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Stress Health. 2023 Dec;39(5):1137-1147. doi: 10.1002/smi.3255. Epub 2023 May 9.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 32633094Olsson A, Olsson M, Fedorowski A, Hagell P, Wictorin K. The Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire in Swedish tested in patients with parkinsonism. Brain Behav. 2020 Sep;10(9):e01746. doi: 10.1002/brb3.1746. Epub 2020 Jul 7.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Andreas Ströhle, Prof.Dr. study director
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Antonia Bendau, M.Sc.Psych. principal investigator
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin - Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Anxiety Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jan 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Antonia Bendau, M.Sc.Psych. (+4930450517274, antonia.bendau@charite.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Characteristics of COVID-19-related anxiety (time frame: 1 day). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04331106, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jan 2021.