Long COVID Brain Fog: Cognitive Rehabilitation Trial

"Speed of processing training involves trainer-guided practice of computer-based video games. The games require the player to rapidly distinguish targets from decoys, which trains how rapidly the player processes information received through their senses."

Participant will receive shaping on IADLS. Participants will receive training on everyday tasks with important cognitive components, in which the difficulty is increased in small steps over the course of treatment.

Participants will receive training on healthy eating, sleeping, and relaxation techniques that have been shown to improve brain health.

"The Transfer Package was designed to try and bridge the gap between what is trained in the lab and what the participant does outside of the treatment setting. This components includes negotiation of a behavioral contract with participants at the outset of treatment regarding the responsibilities of the participant, family caregivers, if available, and the treatment team, self-monitoring, assignment of homework, review of homework by the trainer, and support of problem-solving by the participant."

After completing training, participants will receive four follow up phone calls in the first month of training. Each call will separated by about a week. The focus of the calls will incorporating the lessons learnt during treatment into daily life.

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), participants who are eligible may receive vocational rehabilitation. Participants will receive typical services offered by the ADRS. These could include career counseling, guidance regarding job retention or return-to-work, and guidance regarding workplace accommodations.

Participants who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation, and agree will also have a peer mentor, a co-worker that will be trained by our team, to reinforce strategies the participant learned during training, and to help the participant problem solve issues that may arise on the job during the first month after treatment. Peer mentors will meet with trainers during the month after treatment to make sure procedures are being followed and address any issues that may arise.

"Reaction time training involves trainer-guided practice of computer-based video games. Several different games will be featured that train how rapidly players react to threats and train eye-hand coordination."

The vagus nerve run from the brain to the external ear, throat, chest, and abdomen and controls, among other functions, the rest and relax response, which supports learning and turns down inflammatory processes. The rest and relax response can be turned on by electrically stimulating the vagus nerve. We will place electrodes on the external part of each ear and safely apply a microcurrent of at least 4 milliamps. Stimulation will administered for 10 minutes near the start and midway point of each treatment session.

The vagus nerve run from the brain to the external ear, throat, chest, and abdomen and controls, among other functions, the rest and relax response, which supports learning and turns down inflammatory processes. The rest and relax response can be turned on by electrically stimulating the vagus nerve. We will place electrodes on the external part of each ear and safely apply a microcurrent of less than 4 milliamps. Stimulation will administered for 10 minutes near the start and midway point of each treatment session.