Long COVID is a condition where symptoms persist for weeks or even months after recovering from the initial COVID-19 infection. Many individuals with Long COVID report experiencing “brain fog,” difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and slowed thinking. These cognitive impairments can disrupt daily life, making work, social interactions, and basic tasks more challenging. One area of research has involved the use of supplemental oxygen therapy, which can potentially improve cognitive function by increasing oxygen availability in the brain. One study investigated whether portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) could help alleviate cognitive symptoms in people suffering from Long COVID.*

What the Researchers Did

Researchers conducted a small, controlled study to explore how oxygen therapy might affect cognitive function in Long COVID patients. The study involved 21 participants who were randomly divided into two groups. 

• One group received oxygen therapy using POCs for two weeks, followed by a break, and then switched to standard care without oxygen. 
• The other group started with standard care, took a break, and then received oxygen therapy. 

This “crossover” design allowed researchers to compare the effects of oxygen therapy with standard care within the same individuals.

To measure potential benefits, the research team assessed participants’ cognitive function using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a widely used test for evaluating memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they monitored mood changes, oxygen saturation levels (both in the brain and in the body), and overall well-being. 

The goal was to determine whether increasing oxygen intake could enhance brain function and alleviate some cognitive difficulties associated with Long COVID.

What They Found

• Cognitive performance. Although overall MoCA scores did not show a major difference between the oxygen and standard care groups, improvements were noted in specific cognitive functions. During the first treatment period, participants receiving oxygen therapy experienced significant gains in skills related to problem-solving and navigating spaces:
  • Global cognition, 
  • Attention, and 
  • Visuospatial/executive function.
    
• Mood benefits. Depression and anxiety are common among Long COVID patients, partly due to ongoing cognitive struggles. In the study, participants reported noticeable improvements in mood while using oxygen therapy. Symptoms of depression, such as low interest in activities and difficulties with focus, were reduced.
  
• Oxygen saturation levels. Despite expectations that oxygen therapy would increase oxygen levels in the brain, no significant differences in oxygen saturation were detected between the treatment and standard care periods. This suggests that the cognitive and mood benefits may not be directly related to oxygen saturation alone.

Takeaways and Future Directions

The study provides evidence that oxygen therapy could help improve cognitive function and mood in Long COVID patients, even if the exact mechanisms remain unclear. The improvements in attention, visuospatial skills, and depressive symptoms suggest that increased oxygen intake may support brain function in ways that are not yet fully understood. 

Since this was a small pilot study, larger and more in-depth trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine whether portable oxygen concentrators could become a viable treatment for Long COVID-related cognitive impairments.

*Gagnon, C., Vincent, T., Bherer, L., Gayda, M., et al. (2024, November 5). Oxygen supplementation and cognitive function in Long COVID. Plos One. 

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0312735 

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