Brain-Training Treatment for Long COVID in Older Adults
Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Long COVID Symptoms in Older Adults
UConn Health
40 participants
Apr 7, 2023
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This research is being done to collect preliminary data on the potential of computerized "brain-training" exercises for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that computerized brain-training will be an acceptable and feasible intervention for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators also expect to provide initial evidence that computerized brain-training has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of everyday functioning in older adults with Long COVID.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- prior history of COVID-19 based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines including a positive laboratory test (e.g., nucleic acid amplification test) or a positive rapid test
- age ≥ 60 years old
- current self-reported cognitive symptoms persisting after the acute phase of the illness (i.e., \>4 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset) that cannot be explained by alternative diagnoses
- evidence of subjective cognitive impairment with a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI) Subscale Score of ≤ 40 and/or endorsing any item on the FACT-Cog PCI Subscale as occurring nearly every day or several times a day
- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) ≥ 27
- fluent in English
- off psychiatric medications or on a stable dose for at least 1 month prior to commencing the study with no intention to change dose prior to completion of the study.
Exclusion Criteria6
- history of neurological disorder or other medical condition with potential to impair cognitive functioning or interfere with study participation (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, dementia, head trauma followed by persistent neurological deficits or known structural brain abnormalities)
- prior diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder unrelated to the participant's history of COVID-19
- history of significant psychiatric illness per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar and related disorders, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, personality disorder)
- history of significant neurodevelopmental condition that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder)
- alcohol or other substance use disorder within the past 2 years
- significant sensory or motor impairments (e.g., blindness) that may interfere with the ability to complete neuropsychological measures or engage in the intervention
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Interventions
The computerized cognitive remediation intervention ("NeuroFlex") consists of a series of gamified tasks (e.g., BrainHQ, Neurogrow, Ultimate Word Master) administered via computer tablet. The intervention provides both "bottom up" training to improve basic processing of sensory stimuli and "top down" training to improve executive functions. Participants will be asked to complete approximately 7.5 hours a week of computer treatment over an approximately 6-week period, for a total of approximately 45 hours of treatment. The treatment will be completed remotely by the participant within their own home or other private location that is most convenient for the participant.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT05705193