Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and cognition after isolation and reassessment of remote care. A review article

Abstract

This article comprehensively reviews existing literature about the consequences of social isolation after the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and cognition. The objective is to provide useful information that will help to identify the lack of data on some side effects post -pandemic. In addition, the aim is to advocate for research, which leads to evidence of these abnormalities. A search was performed in the databases Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science, from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to the present. The terms used were COVID-19, isolation, cognition, remote care, mental health, age, and technology. Finally, 51 articles were selected that coincided with the terms, objectives that were relevant to the work. In addition, the articles met the methodological and validity criteria provided by the databases. Some studies were found that report various degrees of affectation in brain functions in subjects who remained isolated during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 pandemic, whether they have been infected or not. From the analysis of the distinct studies, notable differences between countries according to their economic resources, housing conditions, age, the existence of comorbidities, and emerging intervention tools such as remote care, were some of the main factors that influenced the coping strategies of individuals who were confined. Furthermore, it is evident that there remains a critical need for research employing standardized and specialized neuropsychological tests to measure cognition accurately. In the same way, investigating the effectiveness of current intervention strategies and designing those that are appropriate for each population, given the specific characteristics of the comorbidity caused by the extraordinary situation experienced by the COVID-19 pandemic.