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 (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.