[Neurocognitive functioning after cognitive treatment in post-COVID]

Post-COVID is a post-infectious condition resulting from COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) that can cause a wide range of neurocognitive and psychological symptoms. As no curative treatment currently exists, it is important to help patients learn how to manage their symptoms.

To examine whether adults with post-COVID benefit from a treatment program focused on cognitive resilience, in terms of cognitive functioning and psychological symptoms.

A pre-post design without a control group was used within a mental health care setting. Twenty-three participants with post-COVID completed a 24-week group-based program consisting of two modules: balancing limited energy and cognitive rehabilitation. Neuropsychological tests, the SCL-90, and the RAND-36 were administered before and after treatment. Differences between pre- and post-treatment scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Of the 23 participants, 15 completed the program. Verbal learning improved significantly (p = 0.01). No significant changes were found in other neurocognitive domains. Psychological symptoms decreased significantly (p = 0.03).

Despite the small sample size, several significant improvements were observed. Participants reported feeling supported by peer contact within the group. Further research is needed to clarify a causal relationship between the treatment program and improvements in cognitive functioning.