Abstract
Background: Long COVID affects a substantial number of individuals with persistent symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and emotional distress impacting quality of life and functionality.1 Current management primarily relies on supportive care, underscoring an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate these enduring symptoms. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive complementary therapy that promotes self-regulation by training the brain to achieve optimal functioning via auditory feedback with demonstrated improvements in symptoms of cognitive impairment, fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep problems in other patient populations including cancer survivors.2,3 We propose neurofeedback could be used to address persistent symptoms associated with Long COVID.
Purpose: This nurse-led study aimed to explore the feasibility of using nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback as a potential intervention for alleviating cognitive impairment, fatigue, and other symptoms in individuals experiencing Long COVID.
Methods: This feasibility study employed a quasi-experimental repeated measures design. Participants received 20 sessions of NeurOptimal nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback over a 10-week period. Symptoms were assessed at four time points using standardized measures of cognitive function, fatigue, sleep quality, and psychological symptoms.
Results: Twenty participants were recruited, four dropped out early in the study and 16 completed all neurofeedback sessions and assessments. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis indicated that cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p=.001) and results were maintained at 10-week follow-up.
Conclusions: Results of this pilot feasibility study indicate it is feasible and acceptable to provide neurofeedback to individuals with Long COVID and suggests that nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback has a positive effect on persistent symptoms in this population. By gathering preliminary data on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of this intervention, the study will inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial. Findings will inform clinical nurses working with Long COVID patients and could support the integration of neurofeedback into mainstream rehabilitation programs, offering an innovative, non-invasive option for managing the persistent and debilitating symptoms of Long COVID.
Notes
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References:
1. Government of Canada. Frequency and impact of longer-term symptoms following COVID-19 in Canadian adults (2022-10-20). 2022. Available from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/post-covid-condition/ [Last Accessed; Feb 26].
2. Alvarez J, Meyer FL, Granoff DL, et al. The effect of EEG biofeedback on reducing postcancer cognitive impairment. Integr Cancer Ther 2013;12(6):475-87, https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735413477192
3. Luctkar-Flude M, Tyerman J, Burnett S, et al. Exploring the effect of neurofeedback on postcancer cognitive impairment and fatigue: A pilot feasibility study. Can Oncol Nurs J 2022;32(2):214-222, https://doi.org/10.5737/23688076322214222
Sigma Membership
Lambda Pi at-Large
Lead Author Affiliation
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quasi-Experimental Study, Other
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Academic-Clinical Partnership, Acute Care, Sub-Acute Care, Long COVID, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome--Rehabilitation, Neurofeedback, Biofeedback
Recommended Citation
Luctkar-Flude, Marian and Tyerman, Jane, "Exploring Feasibility of Neurofeedback to Alleviate Cognitive Impairment and Fatigue in Long COVID" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 122.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/122
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-04
Exploring Feasibility of Neurofeedback to Alleviate Cognitive Impairment and Fatigue in Long COVID
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Long COVID affects a substantial number of individuals with persistent symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and emotional distress impacting quality of life and functionality.1 Current management primarily relies on supportive care, underscoring an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to alleviate these enduring symptoms. Neurofeedback is a non-invasive complementary therapy that promotes self-regulation by training the brain to achieve optimal functioning via auditory feedback with demonstrated improvements in symptoms of cognitive impairment, fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep problems in other patient populations including cancer survivors.2,3 We propose neurofeedback could be used to address persistent symptoms associated with Long COVID.
Purpose: This nurse-led study aimed to explore the feasibility of using nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback as a potential intervention for alleviating cognitive impairment, fatigue, and other symptoms in individuals experiencing Long COVID.
Methods: This feasibility study employed a quasi-experimental repeated measures design. Participants received 20 sessions of NeurOptimal nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback over a 10-week period. Symptoms were assessed at four time points using standardized measures of cognitive function, fatigue, sleep quality, and psychological symptoms.
Results: Twenty participants were recruited, four dropped out early in the study and 16 completed all neurofeedback sessions and assessments. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis indicated that cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety and depressive symptoms decreased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p=.001) and results were maintained at 10-week follow-up.
Conclusions: Results of this pilot feasibility study indicate it is feasible and acceptable to provide neurofeedback to individuals with Long COVID and suggests that nonlinear dynamical neurofeedback has a positive effect on persistent symptoms in this population. By gathering preliminary data on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of this intervention, the study will inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial. Findings will inform clinical nurses working with Long COVID patients and could support the integration of neurofeedback into mainstream rehabilitation programs, offering an innovative, non-invasive option for managing the persistent and debilitating symptoms of Long COVID.
Description
This nurse-led study explored the feasibility of using neurofeedback to manage Long COVID symptoms like cognitive impairment, fatigue, and psychological distress. Sixteen participants completed 20 neurofeedback sessions. Results showed significant improvements in cognitive function, fatigue, sleep, and psychological symptoms, maintained at follow-up. Findings support feasibility and potential effectiveness of neurofeedback, suggesting its future integration into rehabilitation for Long COVID.