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Seven out of ten patients who suffer from “lung COVID-19”, and who are ill for a long time, show an increased sensitivity of the central nervous system. Research by the UZ Brussel and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel shows that this has a major impact on the quality of life of patients.
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For a fifth of patients with long-term COVID-19, the symptoms are so severe that they can no longer perform daily activities such as work, household, or leisure activities. The persistent complaints in these people are numerous: extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, pain, anxiety or depressive thoughts. The list of complaints often occurs in patients who suffer from an increased sensitivity of the nervous system, such as fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes.
“Central sensitization means that the brain can interpret a signal as pain without there being an acute problem or real damage in our body. In addition, the body reacts more and more strongly, resulting in vague but serious complaints. And the more serious the complaints, the greater the impact on health-related quality of life,” explains Professor Maarten Moens, neurosurgeon at UZ Brussel.
Furthermore, the study shows that 40 percent of people are less mobile and 3 percent are bedridden. The researchers of the study emphasize that there is a need in rehabilitation for extra attention to pain education and cognitive behavioral therapy in patients who show symptoms of central sensitization.
Another study by the VUB and UZ Brussel will be published today/Tuesday, in which physiotherapy is cited as essential within the COVID-19 rehabilitation.
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