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Hsiao YY, Elliott TR, Jaramillo J, Douglas ME, Powers MB, Warren AM. The Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale among SARS-CoV-2 Survivors: Psychometric Properties and Item Correlations with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2186. [PMID: 38673462 PMCID: PMC11050894 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (FACs) among adult COVID-19 survivors and its unique ability to assess symptomology not accounted for by measures of depression and anxiety. Methods: COVID-19 survivors completed an online survey that included the FACs, a measure of brain fog and central fatigue with 20 items rated on a digital-analog scale. Useable data from 559 participants were analyzed to test the two-factor structure of the FACs, test for measurement invariance by sex and device was used to complete the survey (hand-held, computer), and item correlations with symptoms of depression and anxiety were examined. Results: The two-factor structure of the FACs replicated, supporting the separate assessments of brain fog and fatigue, χ2(164) = 1028.363, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.097, SRMR = 0.053. The FACs exhibited invariance at the scalar level, indicating item and factor integrity regardless of sex and device type. Using a correlation > 0.70 as a criterion (i.e., indicating more than 50% shared variance between two items), items on the FACs (assessing fatigue and lack of energy) were highly correlated with feeling tired or having little energy on the depression measure. No other items correlated with any anxiety symptom larger than 0.70. Conclusions: The FACs appears to be a psychometrically sound and efficient measure for use with COVID-19 survivors, assessing symptoms of brain fog and central fatigue that are not attributable to symptoms assessed by established measures of depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yu Hsiao
- Department of Individual, Family and Community Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (Y.-Y.H.); (J.J.)
| | - Timothy R. Elliott
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Julie Jaramillo
- Department of Individual, Family and Community Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (Y.-Y.H.); (J.J.)
| | - Megan E. Douglas
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75246, USA; (M.E.D.); (M.B.P.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Mark B. Powers
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75246, USA; (M.E.D.); (M.B.P.); (A.M.W.)
| | - Ann Marie Warren
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75246, USA; (M.E.D.); (M.B.P.); (A.M.W.)
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Elliott TR, Hsiao YY, Randolph K, Urban RJ, Sheffield-Moore M, Pyles RB, Masel BE, Wexler T, Wright TJ. Efficient assessment of brain fog and fatigue: Development of the Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (FACs). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295593. [PMID: 38079429 PMCID: PMC10712873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Debilitating symptoms of fatigue and accompanying "brain fog" are observed among patients with various chronic health conditions. Unfortunately, an efficient and psychometrically sound instrument to assess these co-occurring symptoms is unavailable. Here, we report the development and initial psychometric properties of the Fatigue and Altered Cognition Scale (the FACs), a measure of self-reported central fatigue and brain fog. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was chosen to model and develop the FACs due to research team expertise and established links between TBI and the symptom complex. Potential items were generated by researchers and clinicians with experience treating these symptoms, drawing from relevant literature and review of patient responses to measures from past and current TBI studies. The 20 candidate items for the FACs-ten each to assess altered cognition (i.e., brain fog) and central fatigue-were formatted on an electronic visual analogue response scale (eVAS) via an online survey. Demographic information and history of TBI were obtained. A total of 519 participants consented and provided usable data (average age = 40.23 years; 73% female), 204 of whom self-reported a history of TBI (75% reported mild TBI). Internal consistency and reliability values were calculated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) examined the presumed two-factor structure of the FACs and a one-factor solution for comparison. A measurement invariance test of the two latent constructs (altered cognition, fatigue) among participants with and without TBI was conducted. All items demonstrated normal distribution. Cronbach's alpha coefficients indicated good internal consistency for both factors (α's = .95). Omega reliability values were favorable (α's = .95). CFA supported the presumed two-factor model and item loadings which outperformed the one-factor model. Measurement invariance found the two-factor structure was consistent between the two groups. Implications of these findings, study limitations, and potential use of the FACs in clinical research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R. Elliott
- Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yu-Yu Hsiao
- Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Randolph
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Randall J. Urban
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Melinda Sheffield-Moore
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard B. Pyles
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Brent E. Masel
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America
| | - Tamara Wexler
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Traver J. Wright
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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Maier A, Schopen L, Thiel JC, Müller K, Fimm B, Schulz JB. Cognitive functioning in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome among different body positions: a prospective pilot study (POTSKog study). Clin Auton Res 2023; 33:459-468. [PMID: 37261636 PMCID: PMC10439038 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00950-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately 96% of patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) report cognitive complaints. We investigated whether cognitive function is impaired during sitting and active standing in 30 patients with PoTS compared with 30 healthy controls (HCs) and whether it will improve with the counter manoeuvre of leg crossing. METHODS In this prospective pilot study, patients with PoTS were compared to HCs matched for age, sex, and educational level. Baseline data included norepinephrine plasma levels, autonomic testing and baseline cognitive function in a seated position [the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Leistungsprüfsystem (LPS) subtests 1 and 2, and the Test of Attentional Performance (TAP)]. Cognitive functioning was examined in a randomized order in supine, upright and upright legs crossed position. The primary outcomes were the cognitive test scores between HCs and patients with PoTS at baseline testing, and among the different body positions. RESULTS Patients with PoTS had impaired attention (TAP median reaction time) in the seated position and impaired executive functioning (Stroop) while standing compared with HC. Stroop was influenced by position (supine versus upright versus upright legs crossed) only in the PoTS group. Leg crossing did not result in an improvement in executive function. In patients with PoTS, there was a negative correlation of Stroop with norepinephrine plasma levels while standing. CONCLUSION Compared with HCs, PoTS participants showed impaired cognitive attention and executive function in the upright position that did not improve in the legs crossed position. Data provide further evidence for orthostatic cognitive deterioration in patients with PoTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03681080).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Maier
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Lena Schopen
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joana C Thiel
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Gynaecology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bruno Fimm
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jörg B Schulz
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN Institute Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Jülich Research Center GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Rodriguez B, Hochstrasser A, Eugster PJ, Grouzmann E, Müri RM, Z’Graggen WJ. Brain fog in neuropathic postural tachycardia syndrome may be associated with autonomic hyperarousal and improves after water drinking. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:968725. [PMID: 35992935 PMCID: PMC9388780 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.968725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain fog is a common and highly disturbing symptom for patients with neuropathic postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Cognitive deficits have been measured exclusively in the upright body position and mainly comprised impairments of higher cognitive functions. The cause of brain fog is still unclear today. This study aimed to investigate whether increased autonomic activation might be an underlying mechanism for the occurrence of brain fog in neuropathic POTS. We therefore investigated cognitive function in patients with neuropathic POTS and a healthy control group depending on body position and in relation to catecholamine release as a sensitive indicator of acute stress. The second aim was to test the effect of water intake on cardiovascular regulation, orthostatic symptoms, cognitive function and catecholamine release. Methods Thirteen patients with neuropathic POTS and 15 healthy control subjects were included. All participants completed a total of four rounds of cognitive testing: two before and two after the intake of 500 ml still water, each first in the supine position and then during head-up tilt. At the end of each cognitive test, a blood sample was collected for determination of plasma catecholamines. After each head-up tilt phase participants were asked to rate their current symptoms on a visual analogue scale. Results Working memory performance in the upright body position was impaired in patients, which was associated with self-reported symptom severity. Patients had elevated plasma norepinephrine independent of body position and water intake that increased excessively in the upright body position. The excessive increase of plasma norepinephrine was related to heart rate and symptom severity. Water intake in patients decreased norepinephrine concentrations and heart rate, and improved symptoms as well as cognitive performance. Conclusion Brain fog and symptom severity in neuropathic POTS are paralleled by an excessive norepinephrine secretion. Bolus water drinking down-regulates norepinephrine secretion and improves general symptom severity including brain fog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Rodriguez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annie Hochstrasser
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philippe J. Eugster
- Service of Clinical Pharmacology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Grouzmann
- Service of Clinical Pharmacology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - René M. Müri
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Werner J. Z’Graggen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Werner J. Z’Graggen,
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Wells R, Malik V, Brooks AG, Linz D, Elliott AD, Sanders P, Page A, Baumert M, Lau DH. Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Performance in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: Insights from Sustained Cognitive Stress Test. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e017861. [PMID: 33280488 PMCID: PMC7955388 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.017861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The physiology underlying "brain fog" in the absence of orthostatic stress in postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) remains poorly understood. Methods and Results We evaluated cognitive and hemodynamic responses (cardiovascular and cerebral: heart rate, blood pressure, end‐tidal carbon dioxide, and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in the middle cerebral artery at baseline, after initial cognitive testing, and after (30‐minutes duration) prolonged cognitive stress test (PCST) whilst seated; as well as after 5‐minute standing in consecutively enrolled participants with POTS (n=22) and healthy controls (n=18). Symptom severity was quantified with orthostatic hypotensive questionnaire at baseline and end of study. Subjects in POTS and control groups were frequency age‐ and sex‐matched (29±11 versus 28±13 years; 86 versus 72% women, respectively; both P≥0.4). The CBFv decreased in both groups (condition, P=0.04) following PCST, but a greater reduction in CBFv was observed in the POTS versus control group (−7.8% versus −1.8%; interaction, P=0.038). Notably, the reduced CBFv following PCST in the POTS group was similar to that seen during orthostatic stress (60.0±14.9 versus 60.4±14.8 cm/s). Further, PCST resulted in greater slowing in psychomotor speed (6.1% versus 1.4%, interaction, P=0.027) and a greater increase in symptom scores at study completion (interaction, P<0.001) in the patients with POTS, including increased difficulty with concentration. All other physiologic responses (blood pressure and end‐tidal carbon dioxide) did not differ between groups after PCST (all P>0.05). Conclusions Reduced CBFv and cognitive dysfunction were evident in patients with POTS following prolonged cognitive stress even in the absence of orthostatic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Wells
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Department of Medicine Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
| | - Varun Malik
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
| | - Anthony G Brooks
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Dominik Linz
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
| | - Adrian D Elliott
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
| | - Amanda Page
- Centre for Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Diseases The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Mathias Baumert
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Dennis H Lau
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders The University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
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Cardinali DP, Brown GM, Pandi-Perumal SR. Can Melatonin Be a Potential "Silver Bullet" in Treating COVID-19 Patients? Diseases 2020; 8:E44. [PMID: 33256258 PMCID: PMC7709121 DOI: 10.3390/diseases8040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic potential of melatonin as a chronobiotic cytoprotective agent to counteract the consequences of COVID-19 infections has been advocated. Because of its wide-ranging effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory compound, melatonin could be unique in impairing the consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, indirect evidence points out to a possible antiviral action of melatonin by interfering with SARS-CoV-2/angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 association. Melatonin is also an effective chronobiotic agent to reverse the circadian disruption of social isolation and to control delirium in severely affected patients. As a cytoprotector, melatonin serves to combat several comorbidities such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases, which aggravate COVID-19 disease. In view of evidence on the occurrence of neurological sequels in COVID-19-infected patients, another putative application of melatonin emerges based on its neuroprotective properties. Since melatonin is an effective means to control cognitive decay in minimal cognitive impairment, its therapeutic significance for the neurological sequels of SARS-CoV-2 infection should be considered. Finally, yet importantly, exogenous melatonin can be an adjuvant capable of augmenting the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We discuss in this review the experimental evidence suggesting that melatonin is a potential "silver bullet" in the COVID 19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Cardinali
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires 1007, Argentina;
| | - Gregory M. Brown
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada;
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