Potential application of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) techniques in the context of covid-19 clinical course: From theory to real-world application

ABSTRACT

Abstract The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected millions of people around the world, and will become endemic, resulting in an urgent need to discover and validate inexpensive and accessible treatments that can reduce morbidity and persistent post-infectious symptoms. Noninvasive brain stimulation methods, such as transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), may have a potential role in the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) related symptoms. This potential is theorized based on the known mechanisms of biological action and demonstrated benefits in non-COVID-19 patients for various known sequelae of COVID-19 illness and recovery (e.g., fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, central sensitization, and emotional dysregulation), with now several initiatives of its application in the context of COVID-19 clinical course. Here, we will summarize the technological advantages, the rationale, and mechanism of action of using tES techniques to manage COVID-19 infection through four pathways (1) Acute intervention, (2) Add-on treatment to augment rehabilitation following critical illness, (3) Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, and (4) Treatment of outbreak related mental distress exacerbated by surrounding psychosocial stressors related to COVID-19 pandemic. Research Category and Technology and Methods Clinical Research 9. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Keywords tES, PASC, SARS-CoV-2 InfectionCopyright © 2023