Psychomotor and neurofunctional aspects after COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 virus) has infected more than 646 million people and caused more than 6.6 million deaths worldwide (December/2022). It is surprising that a virus that affects airways can trigger neurological manifestations. The aim of this study was to create and apply specific questionnaires/evaluations for post-Covid-19 patients to profile any neurofunctional sequelae. Methods: epidemiological and psychomotor aspects as well as the intensity of cognitive, memory, attention, and concentration impairment were assessed. A total of 184 subjects post-Covid-19 and a control group (n=30) were evaluated. Results: the most prevalent blood types in the Covid-19 group were the same as those from control group and in Brazilian population (no influence). Loss of smell/taste and headache were the most common reported symptoms. Talking about psychomotor and neurofunctional aspects, Covid-19 induced marked impairments in the tests: Fine Motor Development (diadochokinesis, puppets, fan, and knead paper); Balance (immobility, static balance, feet in line, and persistence); Episodic Memory after distractors; Verbal Fluency; and Clock, compared to the control group data. There was also marked increase of synkinesis. Therefore, Covid-19 induced impairments in psychomotor assessments and in different cognitive aspects of the Mini-Mental State Examination. These results are more surprising considering that most participants did not report pre-existing disease and did not require hospitalization. Conclusion: Covid-19 induced psychomotor, neurofunctional, and memory impairments, including in young and healthy subjects. The present study revealed neurological impairments, which should be considered in the development of rehabilitation protocols for patients affected by Covid-19.

Navigating the complexity of COVID-19: a multifaceted examination

“…Vulnerable groups, including female students, those in poor health, and those who lost family members to COVID-19, are particularly affected. Targeted interventions, such as physical activity programmes, hold promise for enhancing students' well-being.Surprising Neurological Manifestations in Post-COVID-19 Patients A fourth paper explores the unexpected neurological sequelae in post-COVID-19 patients, revealing marked impairments in fine motor skills, balance, memory, attention, and concentration (Chiminazzo and Kirsten, 2023). This study challenges initial assumptions about COVID-19, which primarily targets the respiratory system.…”

“…Surprising Neurological Manifestations in Post-COVID-19 Patients A fourth paper explores the unexpected neurological sequelae in post-COVID-19 patients, revealing marked impairments in fine motor skills, balance, memory, attention, and concentration (Chiminazzo and Kirsten, 2023). This study challenges initial assumptions about COVID-19, which primarily targets the respiratory system.…”