Enhanced External Counterpulsation Improves Cognitive Function of Persons With Long COVID

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Long COVID is associated with persistent cognitive impairment, often referred to as "brain fog."
• Objective assessment of cognitive deficits in long COVID patients is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.
• Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive therapy primarily used for cardiovascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of EECP on cognitive functioning in patients experiencing long COVID.
• To determine if EECP can improve objectively measured cognitive impairment in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 80 long COVID patients undergoing EECP therapy.
• Patients were categorized based on baseline cognitive impairment (38 with, 42 without).
• Objective digital cognitive assessments were performed before and after EECP treatment; data analyzed using multifactor analysis of variance and regression.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in cognitive composite scores was observed in long COVID patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment post-EECP.
• No significant safety concerns were documented during the EECP therapy.
• Baseline characteristics were comparable between the cognitive impairment and no cognitive impairment groups.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence that EECP can significantly enhance cognitive function in long COVID patients with objectively defined cognitive impairment.
• EECP demonstrates a favorable safety profile and potential for broad clinical application in managing long COVID-related cognitive deficits.
• Further research, including controlled trials, is warranted to confirm these findings.