JOEM: Neurocognitive and Symptom Validity Testing (October 2023)-JOEM: Neurocognitive and Symptom Validity Testing (October 2023)

JOEM: Neurocognitive and Symptom Validity Testing (October 2023)

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A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a neurocognitive screening evaluation (NCSE) in assessing symptoms and disability associated with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and facilitating employees' recovery and return to work. The study involved 64 employees who were off work due to neurocognitive complaints attributed to PCC. Results showed that a significant number of employees had invalid responses and noncredible effort on psychological and cognitive tests. The NCSEs with invalid profiles indicated more severe cognitive and psychiatric symptoms than valid profiles. However, both valid and invalid groups had a significant reduction in illness duration and lost workdays after the NCSE. The study found that post-COVID-19 condition resulted in reports of mild to moderate cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, and employees took an average of 11 months of work leave before receiving a mental health assessment. After the NCSE, employees were released to work at an average of 3 weeks. The study also discussed the impact of long COVID on workers' compensation claims and emphasized the need for standardized neurocognitive assessment for PCC claimants. The study proposed the use of a comprehensive NCSE protocol that includes measures of psychopathology, symptom validity, and an online cognitive battery. Overall, the study highlights the importance of assessing and addressing neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms in employees with PCC to facilitate their recovery and return to work.

Keywords

neurocognitive screening evaluation

post-COVID-19 condition

symptoms

disability

employees

recovery

return to work

psychological tests

cognitive symptoms

psychiatric symptoms