Neurocognitive and Symptom Validity Testing for Post-COVID-19 Condition in a Workers Compensation Context

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Occupational Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) frequently presents with neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms.
• Employees with PCC experience prolonged work absence, averaging 11 months before assessment.
• Assessing neurocognitive function and symptom validity is crucial for return-to-work planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a neurocognitive screening evaluation (NCSE) for employees with PCC.
• To assess the impact of NCSE on symptom and disability management.
• To determine the role of NCSE in facilitating employee recovery and return to work.

Main Methods:

• Administered NCSE to 64 employees with neurocognitive complaints due to PCC.
• Analyzed neurocognitive performance, symptom validity, and effort on psychological and cognitive tests.
• Tracked recovery and return-to-work timelines post-assessment.

Main Results:

• 48% of employees exhibited invalid responses or noncredible effort on testing.
• Invalid profiles were associated with more severe cognitive and psychiatric symptoms.
• Both valid and invalid groups showed significant reductions in illness duration and lost workdays after NCSE.

Conclusions:

• PCC can cause mild to moderate cognitive and psychiatric symptoms leading to extended work leave.
• Regardless of symptom validity, NCSE facilitated a rapid return to work, averaging 3 weeks post-assessment.
• NCSE is an effective tool for managing PCC-related work disability and promoting employee recovery.