EEG NEUROFEEDBACK IN THE TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTIONS AFTER THE INFECTION OF SARS-CoV-2 AND LONG COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to have long-term mental health effects on individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 can see a range of long-term side effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of neurotherapy (EEG neurofeedback and goal-oriented cognitive training) in the treatment of neurocognitive dysfunctions in a patient after the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and the long long-term side effects after the contraction of COVID-19. Case study The 48-year-old woman ZR, an accountant by profession, an employee of the administration of the Municipal Board of Municipal Resources, fell ill on October 13, 2020. The disease began with very severe burning headache, eyeballs pain, muscle aches. Ten days later more symptoms joined loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia), hearing disorders, shortness of breath and chest pains. The symptoms were associated with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection confirmed by an rt-PCR genetic test. Brain MRI with intravenous paramagnetic contrast medium injection did not show either lesions of acute microischemic significance or areas of pathological enhancement after paramagnetic contrast medium administration. The patient was treated at home. In mid-November 2020, about a month after the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and contracting NeuroCOVID-19, neurocognitive impairment developed and after half a year she was deteriorating and not able to live independently in society because of her condition. She called her problem "brain fog", and was referred for further diagnosis and therapy to the Reintegration and Training Center of the Polish Neuropsychological Society. We diagnosed a range of long-term side effects and introduced neurotherapy (EEG neurofeedback and goal-oriented cognitive training) in the treatment of neurocognitive dysfunctions. It was found that almost all the long-term side effects were reduced in magnitude. The patient improved and she was able to return to work. Conclusions: EEG neurofeedback and goal-oriented cognitive training might be helpful in the reduction of neurocognitive dysfunctions in patients following the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and long-term side effects after the contraction of COVID-19.