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Klírová M, Adamová A, Biačková N, Laskov O, Renková V, Stuchlíková Z, Odnohová K, Novák T. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of long COVID. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2193. [PMID: 38272997 PMCID: PMC10810850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52763-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms of the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), known as the long COVID. A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study compared the efficacy and safety of prefrontal cortex active tDCS to sham-tDCS in treating NP-PASC. Patients diagnosed with NP-PASC, with a Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) score ≥ 40, were eligible for the study. Twenty tDCS sessions were administered within four weeks, with continuous, end-of-treatment, and follow-up measurements. The primary outcome was a change in the FIS at the end-of-treatment, analyzed in the intention-to-treat population. Data from 33 patients assigned to active (n = 16) or sham-tDCS (n = 17) were analyzed. After the treatment, a decrease in the FIS score was more pronounced in the sham than in the active group, yet the intergroup difference was insignificant (11.7 [95% CI -11.1 to 34.5], p = 0.6). Furthermore, no significant intergroup differences were observed regarding anxiety, depression, quality of life, and cognitive performance. The small cohort sample, differences in baseline FIS scores between groups (non-stratified randomization), or chosen stimulation parameters may have influenced our findings. However, it might also be possible that the expected mechanism of action of tDCS is insufficient to treat these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Klírová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrea Adamová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nina Biačková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Laskov
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Renková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | | | - Karolína Odnohová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Novák
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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De Luca R, Bonanno M, Rifici C, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction: a scoping review of assessment and rehabilitation approaches. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1193406. [PMID: 37521284 PMCID: PMC10374209 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1193406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction (PTOD) consists of a complete or partial loss of olfactory function that may occur after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTOD may be linked to some neuropsychiatric features, such as social, cognitive and executive dysfunction, as well as behavioral symptoms, especially when TBI involves the orbito-frontal cortex. The diagnosis of PTOD is based on medical history and clinical data and it is supported by psychometric tests (i.e., subjective tools) as well as electrophysiological and neuroimaging measures (i.e., objective methods). The assessment methods allow monitoring the changes in olfactory function over time and help to establish the right therapeutic and rehabilitative approach. In this context, the use of the olfactory training (OT), which is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive treatment option, could promote olfactory function through top-down (central) and bottom-up (peripheral) processes. To better manage patients with TBI, PTOD should be detected early and properly treated using the various therapeutic rehabilitative possibilities, both conventional and advanced, also taking into consideration the emerging neuromodulation approach.
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Gracia DI, Ortiz M, Candela T, Iáñez E, Sánchez RM, Díaz C, Azorín JM. Design and Evaluation of a Potential Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Strategy for Treating Persistent Anosmia in Post-COVID-19 Patients. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5880. [PMID: 37447728 DOI: 10.3390/s23135880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
A new pandemic was declared at the end of 2019 because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One of the effects of COVID-19 infection is anosmia (i.e., a loss of smell). Unfortunately, this olfactory dysfunction is persistent in around 5% of the world's population, and there is not an effective treatment for it yet. The aim of this paper is to describe a potential non-invasive neurostimulation strategy for treating persistent anosmia in post-COVID-19 patients. In order to design the neurostimulation strategy, 25 subjects who experienced anosmia due to COVID-19 infection underwent an olfactory assessment while their electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were recorded. These signals were used to investigate the activation of brain regions during the olfactory process and identify which regions would be suitable for neurostimulation. Afterwards, 15 subjects participated in the evaluation of the neurostimulation strategy, which was based on applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in selected brain regions related to olfactory function. The results showed that subjects with lower scores in the olfactory assessment obtained greater improvement than the other subjects. Thus, tDCS could be a promising option for people who have not fully regained their sense of smell following COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desirée I Gracia
- Brain-Machine Interface Systems Lab, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Mario Ortiz
- Brain-Machine Interface Systems Lab, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Engineering Research Institute of Elche-I3E, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Tatiana Candela
- Brain-Machine Interface Systems Lab, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Eduardo Iáñez
- Brain-Machine Interface Systems Lab, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Engineering Research Institute of Elche-I3E, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Rosa M Sánchez
- Department of Neurology, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Valencian Community Foundation for the Management of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmina Díaz
- Department of Neurology, Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Valencian Community Foundation for the Management of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - José M Azorín
- Brain-Machine Interface Systems Lab, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Engineering Research Institute of Elche-I3E, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, 03202 Elche, Spain
- Valencian Graduated School and Research Network of Artificial Intelligence-ValGRAI, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Oliver-Mas S, Delgado-Alonso C, Delgado-Álvarez A, Díez-Cirarda M, Cuevas C, Fernández-Romero L, Matias-Guiu A, Valles-Salgado M, Gil-Martínez L, Gil-Moreno MJ, Yus M, Matias-Guiu J, Matias-Guiu JA. Transcranial direct current stimulation for post-COVID fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad117. [PMID: 37091591 PMCID: PMC10116605 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms of the post-COVID syndrome. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on fatigue severity in a group of patients with post-COVID syndrome and chronic fatigue. We conducted a double-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled study to evaluate the short-term effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2 mA, 20 min/day) on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The modified fatigue impact scale score was used as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included cognition (Stroop test), depressive symptoms (Beck depression inventory) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D). Patients received eight sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation and were evaluated at baseline, immediately after the last session, and one month later. Forty-seven patients were enrolled (23 in the active treatment group and 24 in the sham treatment group); the mean age was 45.66 ± 9.49 years, and 37 (78.72%) were women. The mean progression time since the acute infection was 20.68 ± 6.34 months. Active transcranial direct current stimulation was associated with a statistically significant improvement in physical fatigue at the end of treatment and 1 month as compared with sham stimulation. No significant effect was detected for cognitive fatigue. In terms of secondary outcomes, active transcranial direct current stimulation was associated with an improvement in depressive symptoms at the end of treatment. The treatment had no effects on the quality of life. All the adverse events reported were mild and transient, with no differences between the active stimulation and sham stimulation groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that transcranial direct current stimulation on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may improve physical fatigue. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Oliver-Mas
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Delgado-Alonso
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Delgado-Álvarez
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Díez-Cirarda
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Constanza Cuevas
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Fernández-Romero
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreu Matias-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Valles-Salgado
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Gil-Martínez
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Gil-Moreno
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Yus
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Matias-Guiu
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISCC), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi A Matias-Guiu
- Correspondence to: Jordi A. Matias-Guiu Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos C/Profesor Martín Lagos, 28040 Madrid, Spain E-mails: ;
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