Attention deficits and depressive symptoms improve differentially after rehabilitation of post-COVID condition - A prospective cohort study

Kupferschmitt, Alexa and Joebges, Michael and Randerath, Jennifer and Hinterberger, Thilo and Loew, Thomas H. and Koellner, Volker (2023) Attention deficits and depressive symptoms improve differentially after rehabilitation of post-COVID condition - A prospective cohort study. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSOMATIC RESEARCH, 175: 111540. ISSN 0022-3999, 1879-1360

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Abstract

Background: Depressive and cognitive symptoms like fatigue, loss of energy or sleep disorders characterise the post-COVID condition. Post-COVID psychosomatic rehabilitation should focus on both symptom groups. The current prospective cohort study addresses the change in these symptoms in the context of a psychosomatic rehabilitation.Method: N 1/4 80 patients with post-COVID symptoms underwent psychological testing on admission and discharge: PHQ-9 questionnaire for depression, TAP -test battery for the attention test with the sub-tests working memory, sustained attention, divided attention and alertness. Sample characteristics, including health-related and work-related parameters, the general symptom load and the course of symptoms during the five weeks of rehabilitation were evaluated.Results: On admission, the PHQ-9 indicated the presence of depressive symptoms in post-COVID patients (PHQ-9 = 15.15 +/- 5.11). Over the course of rehabilitation, the depressive symptoms decreased to a sub-clinical level (PHQ-9 = 8.80 +/- 4.61), suggesting a strong effect of post-COVID inpatient rehabilitation (Cohen's d = 1.57). At the same time, post-COVID patients showed clinically relevant impairments in attention and working memory that persisted throughout the rehabilitation period despite multimodal post-COVID treatment.Conclusion: Over the course of post-COVID rehabilitation, depressive symptoms appear to be significantly reduced. With regard to cognitive impairment, a comparable effect within the short period of 5 weeks is not evident. Our results suggest the need for specific treatment of persistent neuropsychological deficits following post-COVID rehabilitation.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: MONTREAL COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT; OLDER-ADULTS; IMPAIRMENT; PLASTICITY; INFECTION; RELEVANCE; MOCA; Post-COVIDcondition1; Cognitiveimpairment2; depression3; Inpatientrehabilitation4; Treatmenteffects5
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Abteilung für Psychosomatische Medizin
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 31 Jan 2024 12:46
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2024 12:46
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/60128

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