Cognitive strategies and metacognition in occupational therapy for a long COVID-19 patient: a single case report

Abstract

Introduction The impact of COVID-19 on occupational and cognitive functioning deserves further exploration since clinicians have observed long COVID and neurological manifestations of COVID-19 long after the remission of respiratory symptoms. Patients with long COVID represent an underexplored population in need of quality occupational therapy interventions. Objectives (a) present an experience report on occupational therapy for assessment and intervention with this population in a hospital setting; (b) demonstrate how perceived occupational performance and health behavior can be improved by the adoption of cognitive strategies and strategies for changing habits. Method This was a single-case study of a long COVID patient in a hospital setting. A description of the framework for assessment and treatment is provided. The patient received a total of nine sessions focused on the use of cognitive strategies and metacognition. The data were analyzed descriptively. Results After exploring guided interventions, the client could create new habits and routines and have perceived occupational performance. Conclusion This experience report presents a framework for assessing and intervening in long COVID that highlights neurocognition. Prospective studies should evaluate if the effects of the proposed awareness assessment and treatment guidelines are reproducible in other settings and if this approach could be helpful for other COVID-19 survivors.