Virtual reality enables precise diagnosis of post-COVID symptoms

Even after recovering from an acute COVID-19 infection, many people continue to experience persistent symptoms, collectively known as Post-COVID condition. More than 200 physical and cognitive symptoms have been identified, including fatigue, memory problems, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. These often last for months, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and posing challenges for healthcare systems.

The EPSILON project, coordinated by the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), aims to use Virtual Reality (VR) and wearable sensors to better understand and diagnose these long-term effects. By combining advanced technologies, the researchers seek to differentiate Post-COVID symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive deficits more accurately.

“Patients with Post-COVID symptoms feel sick, but in many cases there is no clear name for what they are experiencing,” says Paul Chojecki, research scientist at Fraunhofer HHI and EPSILON project coordinator. “With the health data we are collecting in testing, we are developing an analytical tool to quickly and easily assess the severity of the cognitive and fatigue-related limitations involved.”

Because Post-COVID presents with diverse symptoms, an individualized approach is essential. The EPSILON team is developing a set of multimodal diagnostic tools to objectively measure cognitive, vegetative, and behavioral responses.

The diagnostic system combines:

• VR tools to track eye movement, gestures, and motor activity
• Smartwatches and body sensors to record vital and sleep data
• Digital psychological tests to assess memory and attention

The data collected in these assessments help create individualized health profiles. VR-based tests include three-dimensional memory exercises in which patients recall and reproduce object positions in a virtual environment, enabling researchers to analyze spatial cognition and physical effort.

All data are pooled in the EPSILON web-based analysis platform, developed at Fraunhofer HHI. Using AI algorithms, the platform automatically processes the data and visualizes results in real time.

Both medical professionals and patients will have access to the findings. For patients, an intuitive visualization dashboard will display personal health insights, while clinics can use the same data for more targeted treatment plans. This integrated approach could also ease the workload of Post-COVID centers and contribute to ongoing COVID-19 research.

Currently, the project remains in the data collection phase. However, the EPSILON framework is designed to be adaptable. Future applications include neurological and cognitive disorders such as Rett syndrome, where researchers plan to use the system in the TeMoRett project to develop exercise programs for affected children.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Fraunhofer