Enhancing cognitive performance in Post-COVID-19 patients: Analysis of the impact of specific interventions using eye tracking technology

Abstract

Purpose : Recent research using eye tracking technology suggests that there are alterations in eye movement patterns under certain neurological and cognitive disorders. The goal of this study is to analyze the impact of specific interventions to enhance cognitive performance on patients with Post-COVID-19 Condition (PCC) showing cognitive impairments (attention, processing speed, memory, and executive function) using eye tracking technology.

Methods : Participants with PCC displaying cognitive symptoms were recruited and randomly assigned to a control group (no intervention) (CG) or two experimental groups (EG) in which participants were engaged in (i) a face-to-face guided immersive virtual reality intervention (24 sessions) involving mindfulness techniques, cognitive exercises, and physical activities (EG1); or (ii) a digital multimodal intervention (24 sessions) combining cognitive training, physical exercise, and mindfulness tasks delivered remotely (via telemedicine) and designed for autonomous use by participants (EG2). Eye movements (saccades, smooth pursuit, and fixation) were recorded before and after the interventions (or 3 months apart for CG) using the EyeLink 1000 Plus eye tracker. Parameters related to the quality of eye movements (latency, amplitude, Root Mean Square Error (RMS), etc.) were calculated.

Results : Eye movement recordings were obtained from 8 controls (age 51.1±2.1 years), 12 participants in EG1 (48.9±8.6 years), and 18 in EG2 (50.3±7.3 years). A tendency for reduced saccadic (pro- and anti-saccades) latency was observed in the second evaluation [249±105ms pre and 230±64ms post-intervention (p=0.298) for pro-saccades, and 403±182ms pre and 310±115ms post-intervention (p=0.036) for anti-saccades], with no significant differences between groups (p=0.996 and p=0.316). Fewer saccadic intrusions were observed during pursuit at the end of the study, although there was no significant intervention effect (p=0.074).

Conclusions : In general, eye movement performance was very similar before and after the intervention and between groups. The small differences found may indicate a learning effect or intrinsic variability rather than an effect from the interventions provided. These results, limited by the small sample size, suggest that the interventions designed to improve cognition have limited impact on eye movement function in individuals with PCC.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.