Long COVID
Post-COVID syndrome, commonly known as “long COVID” or “long-haul COVID,” refers to a condition where individuals continue to experience lingering symptoms and health issues even after the acute phase of the COVID-19 infection has resolved. Long COVID can manifest with a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating (often referred to as “brain fog”), and persistent loss of taste or smell, among others.
Neurofeedback has emerged as a potential therapeutic avenue for addressing the lingering symptoms of long COVID. Unlike medication, which may target specific symptoms without addressing underlying neural dysregulation, neurofeedback focuses on regulating and optimizing brain function. Long COVID often involves neurological symptoms and cognitive challenges, and neurofeedback can be particularly effective in addressing these aspects of the condition.
The personalized nature of neurofeedback makes it well-suited for the diverse array of symptoms associated with long COVID. Treatment protocols can be tailored to the individual’s unique neural patterns, targeting specific brain regions affected by the virus. This adaptability contrasts with medication, which may have a more generalized impact on the body without directly addressing the neural dysregulation that contributes to long COVID symptoms.
Research has shown that neurofeedback can be beneficial in improving cognitive function, reducing fatigue, and enhancing overall well-being. By promoting self-regulation of brain activity, neurofeedback aims to address the root causes of symptoms rather than merely alleviating them. This approach makes neurofeedback a potentially valuable addition to the toolkit for managing the complex and varied symptoms of long COVID. Integrating neurofeedback into a comprehensive treatment plan may offer individuals with long COVID a holistic and personalized approach to addressing their ongoing health challenges.
Studies
Kopańska, M., Banaś-Ząbczyk, A., Łagowska, A., Kuduk, B., & Szczygielski, J. (2021). Changes in EEG Recordings in COVID19 Patients as a Basis for More Accurate QEEG Diagnostics and EEG Neurofeedback Therapy: A Systematic Review. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(6), 1300. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10061300. Introduction and purpose: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is able to cause abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system and induce neurological symptoms with the features of encephalopathy, disturbances of consciousness and concentration and a reduced ability to sense taste and smell as well as headaches. One of the methods of detecting these types of changes in COVID-19 patients is an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which allows information to be obtained about the functioning of the brain as well as diagnosing diseases and predicting their consequences. The aim of the study was to review the latest research on changes in EEG in patients with COVID-19 as a basis for further quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) diagnostics and EEG neurofeedback training. Description of the state of knowledge: Based on the available scientific literature using the PubMed database from 2020 and early 2021 regarding changes in the EEG records in patients with COVID-19, 17 publications were included in the analysis. In patients who underwent an EEG test, changes in the frontal area were observed. A few patients were not found to be responsive to external stimuli. Additionally, a previously non-emerging, uncommon pattern in the form of continuous, slightly asymmetric, monomorphic, biphasic and slow delta waves occurred. Conclusion: The results of this analysis clearly indicate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes changes in the nervous system that can be manifested and detected in the EEG record. The small number of available articles, the small number of research groups and the lack of control groups suggest the need for further research regarding the short and long term neurological effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the need for unquestionable confirmation that observed changes were caused by the virus per se and did not occur before. The presented studies described non-specific patterns appearing in encephalograms in patients with COVID-19. These observations are the basis for more accurate QEEG diagnostics and EEG neurofeedback training.