The Importance of Neuropsychology in the Early Rehabilitation of Patients with Critical Illness after Acute COVID Infection

ABSTRACT

The current literature has insufficiently examined the potential benefits of implementing early neuropsychological interventions for critically ill patients who have experienced COVID-19. To address this research gap, we conducted a descriptive analysis of clinical and neuropsychological data from N = 29 critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to an early neurological rehabilitation facility. Most patients had been diagnosed with critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), and one-third exhibited additional brain damage. Upon admission, all patients exhibited severe cognitive impairments, demonstrating significant improvement following neuropsychological therapy. Nonetheless, the neurocognitive outcomes at discharge displayed a high cognitive and psychoemotional status variability. This paper presents the neuropsychological treatment concept we employed and discusses challenges encountered while treating critically ill patients with cognitive impairments.