# Efficacy of EMDR Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog - URL: https://alisanburak.com/en/covid-sonrasi-beyin-sisinin-giderilmesinde-sanal-gerceklige-maruz-kalma-ile-birlestirilmis-emdrnin-etkinligi - Language: en - Last updated: 2026-09-15 - Page title: Efficacy of EMDR Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alişan Burak Yaşar > Efficacy of EMDR Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog (Efficacy of EMDR combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relie This page was translated automatically from Turkish. [Read the original](https://alisanburak.com/covid-sonrasi-beyin-sisinin-giderilmesinde-sanal-gerceklige-maruz-kalma-ile-birlestirilmis-emdrnin-etkinligi) [← Back to blog](https://alisanburak.com/en/blog) # Efficacy of EMDR Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog July 30, 2024EMDR Europe Symposium 2024 Posters Efficacy of EMDR Combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog (Efficacy of EMDR combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog) Antonella Carbone MediPsyVr Center of Psychotherapy and Occupational Medicine, Rome, Italy Translated by: Specialist Psychologist Gizem Pozam Background and Aims COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health: COVID-19 has led to cognitive impairment (brain fog) affecting fear recognition and processing. This impairment complicates the development of effective treatments. Role of Virtual Reality (VR): VR offers a promising solution by creating simulated and controlled environments. It aims to address underlying fears effectively. Study Objective: The study aims to compare the effectiveness of two therapies combined with VR. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy Methods 150 patients diagnosed with post-COVID brain fog were assigned to three groups: - Control group (no treatment) - CBT with VR group - EMDR with VR group Other conditions were ruled out before psychiatric assessments. assignment. VR tools: Meta Quest 2, Psytech VR training, (www.psytechvr.com) Data Collection: Participants' demographic data were collected initially, - mean age 45.2 years, gender (50% male 5% female) - duration of symptoms (mean: 8.1 months) Participants completed the Brain Fog Index Questionnaire (BFIQ) before treatment, after 12 weekly treatment sessions, and at a 3-month follow-up after treatment. Results Treatment Outcomes: - Both the CBT-VR and EMDR-VR groups showed significant improvements in BFIQ scores after treatment. - The EMDR-VR group exhibited more substantial reductions in BFIQ scores compared with the CBT-VR group. Follow-up Assessment (3-Month): - Scores for the CBT-VR group remained stable at the 3-month follow-up. - In contrast, the EMDR-VR group continued to show a progressive decline in BFIQ scores during follow-up period. Conclusion Effectiveness of EMDR-VR Therapy: EMDR-VR combination therapy shows greater effectiveness in reducing post-COVID brain fog compared with other treatments. Therapeutic Mechanisms: - VR therapy helps desensitize fears by immersing patients in controlled and immersive environments. - EMDR therapy addresses underlying psychological trauma, offering a comprehensive treatment approach for post-COVID brain fog. Need for Further Research: Larger-scale studies with extended follow-up periods are needed to confirm the long-term benefits and efficacy of EMDR-VR therapy in treating post-COVID-19 brain fog. Efficacy of EMDR combined with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog Antonella Carbone! MediPsyVr Center of Psychotherapy and Occupational Medicine, Rome, Italy Background and Aims COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health: COVID-19 has led to cognitive impairment (brain fog) affecting fear recognition and processing. This impairment complicates the development of effective treatments. Role of Virtual Reality (VR): VR presents a promising solution by creating simulated and controlled environments. It aims to address underlying fears effectively. Study Objective: The study seeks to compare the effectiveness of two therapies comoined with VR. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy Methods 150 patients diagnosed with Post-Covid Brain Fog were assigned to three groups: - Control group (no treatment) - CBT with VR group - EMDR with VR group Other conditions were ruled out through psychiatric assessments before assignment. VR tools: Meta Quest 2, Psytech VR training, (www.psytechvr.com) Data Collection: Demographic data of participants were collected initially, - mean age 45,2 years, gender (50% male 5°% female) - duration of symptoms (mean: 8,1 months) Participants completed the Brain Fog Index Questionnaire (BFIQ) before treatment, after 12 weekly sessions of treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up post-treatment. Results Treatment Outcomes: - Both CBT-VR and EMDR-VR groups showed significant improvements in BFIQ scores post-treatment. - The EMDR-VR group exhibited more substantial reductions in BFIQ scores compared to the CBT-VR group. Follow-up Assessment (3-Month): - Scores for the CBT-VR group remained stable at the 3-month follow-up. - In contrast, the EMDR-VR group continued to show a progressive decline in BFIQ scores during the follow-up period. Conclusion Effectiveness of EMDR-VR Therapy: EMDR-VR combination therapy shows higher effectiveness in reducing post-COVID brain fog compared to other treatments. Therapeutic Mechanisms: - VR therapy helps desensitize fears by immersing patients in controlled and immersive environments. - EMDR therapy addresses underlying psychological trauma, offering a comprehensi ment approach for post-COVID brain fog. Need for Further Research: Larger-scale studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary to confirm the long-term benefts and efficacy of EMDR-VR therapy in managing post-COVID brain fog. 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