A small trial has found that cognitive rehabilitation techniques may help alleviate some of the brain-related symptoms associated with Long COVID, according to a study published by Time. The study focused on patients with objectively measured cognitive impairment.
Researchers worked with approximately 40 individuals, meeting with them for one hour each week over a ten-week period. During these sessions, participants were guided in setting personalized goals, such as completing a 30-minute report without interruption, and were taught specific strategies to achieve these objectives. A separate control group did not receive any treatment.
Cognitive rehabilitation involves teaching patients techniques to manage their cognitive challenges. For instance, patients might be encouraged to narrate their actions aloud to maintain focus, a strategy described by one researcher as "talking yourself through the instructions, so you stay in touch with what you're actually doing." The rehabilitation also emphasizes the importance of incorporating cognitive breaks, such as five minutes of focused breathing for every ten minutes of activity.
The trial's findings suggest that these structured interventions can offer a path toward recovery for some individuals struggling with the cognitive deficits that can persist after a COVID-19 infection.