FDA-Approved Prescription Video Game Seen to Treat COVID-19 Survivors with Cognitive Impairment

A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription video games to enhance cognitive function among children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder is now being considered as a treatment for adults with COVID "brain fog."

Such condition is seen in people who have recovered from COVID 19 and have since exhibited lingering cognitive symptoms, such as difficulties in paying attention and memory loss.

EndeavorRx Considered to Treat Other Cognitive Disorders

The game, titled EndeavorRx, is now under rigorous testing to determine if the game is effective in enhancing cognitive symptoms in survivors of COVID-19. Game developer Akii Interactive looks forward to having the game authorized as a treatment for several cognitive conditions, such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

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COVID "brain fog" is quite prevalent among survivors of the fatal illness

Researchers from Cornell University are gathering data on cognitive impairments linked to COVID-19. A study focusing on 37 patients currently recovering from COVID-19 shows that 81 percent had some cognitive impairment, 55 percent exhibited memory problems, and 48 percent had troubles with their attention span.

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Through discussions with Akii, researchers found out that EndeavorRx concentrates on the same areas of impairment and could offer patients relief.

One of two randomized studies on video game therapy is ongoing at the Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. The other study is being done at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

COVID-19 Survivors Develop Cognitive Impairment

These studies will have around 100 COVID-19 survivors over 18 years old that developed measurable cognitive impairment. Half of them will be randomized for treatment; others will be part of a control group.

Those in the treatment groups will be tasked to complete five EndeavorRx missions daily, five days a week. This is similar to the EndeavorRx video game therapies used in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Around 34 percent of the COVID-19 survivors were diagnosed with a psychological or neurological disorder within six months of infection, the study, published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry, said.

These conditions were seen in COVID survivors who either received in-patient or outpatient treatments. However, those patients who were hospitalized exhibited a high rate of cognitive symptoms, researchers noted.

Video Game for Children with ADHD

The FDA approved EndeavorRx in June 2020 for children with ADHD aged eight to 12.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is a "brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning and development."

During the clinical trial, one-third of the children being treated showed improvements in at least one attention deficit object measure as they played EndeavorRx. For over a month, the children played EndeavorRx around 25 minutes per day, five days a week.

Some side effects were noted in the ADHD studies, including emotional reaction, dizziness, aggression, and frustration. No serious adverse reactions were observed.