Neurocognitive and Symptom Validity Testing for Post–COVID-19 Condition in a Workers Compensation Context

Abstract

Objective Efficacy of a neurocognitive screening evaluation (NCSE) in assessing symptoms and disability associated with post–COVID-19 condition (PCC) and facilitating employee recovery and return to work was evaluated. Methods An NCSE was administered to 64 employees off work because of neurocognitive complaints attributed to post–COVID-19 condition. Neurocognitive and symptom validity data were analyzed along with recovery and return-to-work timelines. Results A large percentage of the employees gave invalid responses and noncredible effort on psychological and cognitive tests (48%). The NCSEs with invalid profiles suggested more severe cognitive and psychiatric symptoms than valid profiles. Both valid and invalid groups had significant reductions in illness duration and lost workdays after the NCSE. Conclusions Post–COVID-19 condition resulted in reports of mild to moderate cognitive and psychiatric symptoms with extensive mean work leave of 11 months before mental health assessment. Regardless of symptom validity, after the NCSE, the employees were released to work at an average of 3 weeks.