Efficacy of EMDR integrated with Virtual Reality Exposure in Relieving Post-COVID Brain Fog

Background and Aims: COVID-19 has impacted mental health, causing cognitive impairment (brain fog) that can hinder fear recognition and processing, making it challenging to find effective treatments. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising approach to address underlying fears by providing a simulated and controlled environment. This study aims to compare the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy when combined with VR f

Methods: 150 patients diagnosed with Post-Covid Brain Fog were ssigned to three groups: Control (no treatment), CBT with VR, and EMDR with VR, after ruling out other conditions through psychiatric assessments. Demographic data were collected. Participants completed the Brain Fog Index Questionnaire (BFIQ) before and after treatment (12 weekly sessions), and at a 3-month follow-up.

Results: CBT-VR and EMDR-VR groups showed significant improvements in BFIQ post-treatment, with the EMDR-VR group demonstrating more substantial reductions. At the 3-month follow-up, the CBT-VR group's scores remained stable, while the EMDR-VR group experienced a progressive decline in questionnaire scores.

Conclusions: EMDR-VR combination therapy appears to be more effective in reducing post-COVID brain fog. VR therapy desensitizes fears by creating immersive environments, while EMDR addresses underlying psychological trauma, providing a comprehensive treatment approach. Larger-scale studies with extended follow-up periods are needed to confirm long-term benefits of EMDR-VR.

Abstract Topic : Combined EMDR - Virtual Reality for Post-COVID Brain Fog

Learning Objectives 1) Characteristics of Post- COVID brain fog,. 2) The potential of virtual reality as a therapeutic tool 3)The synergistic benefits of combining EMDR with VR

References

Maples-Keller, JL, Bunnell, BE, Kim, S, & Rothbaum, BO. Review of Psychiatry, . The use of virtual reality technology in the treatment of anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. 25(3), 103-113 (2017)