Cognitive rehabilitation post covid-19: A randomized controlled trial (TRAINCOVID)

The neuronal damage caused by the Covid-19 disease can have long-term negative impact on neurocognitive and emotional health (‘Long Covid’). Indeed, there are several reports of ‘brain fog’ with patients experiencing persistent neurocognitive problems such as memory and attention difficulties several months after recovery from Covid-19. However, no studies have examined the effects of cognitive rehabilitation after Covid-19. Goal Management Training (GMT) is an evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention for improving neurocognitive functions. GMT originates from a solid scientific tradition and has been found to enhance neurocognitive functions in neurological and (neuro)psychiatric conditions, and healthy elderly. No previous studies have investigated the effects of GMT after Covid-19. To address these critical knowledge gaps, the study proposed herein aims to evaluate an evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment for post Covid-19. We propose a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with long-term follow-ups, comparing an active four-week intervention, GMT (n=120), to wait-list control (WL; n=120) for 240 adults (18-65 yrs) who have recovered from Covid-19 (> 3 month since infection) and have neurocognitive complaints. Assessment, i.e., neurocognitive tests and questionnaires, will be administered at baseline, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. GMT is expected to improve neurocognitive and emotional health.

There are several reports of ‘brain fog’ with patients experiencing persistent neurocognitive problems such as memory and attention difficulties several months after recovery from Covid-19. However, no studies have examined the effects of cognitive rehabilitation after Covid-19. Goal Management Training (GMT) is an evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention for improving neurocognitive functions. No previous studies have investigated the effects of GMT after Covid-19. To address these critical knowledge gaps, the study proposed herein aims to evaluate an evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatment ("brain training") for post Covid-19. GMT is expected to improve neurocognitive and emotional health.

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