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We investigate whether erroneous sensory-motor processing may be an underlying mechanism of persistent somatic symptoms in post-COVID. Reports of persistent symptoms in post-COVID are reminiscent of functional symptoms, in that they lead to severe suffering but lack an organ-pathological correlate (Maxwell, 2020; Sollini et al., 2020). Based on previous work with patients with functional dizziness (see Lehnen et al., 2019; Schröder et al., 2021) and irritable bowel syndrome (Schröder et al., 2022), we employ a gaze-shift paradigm to measure possible deficits in integrating internal model based expectations and sensory information in patients with post-COVID dizziness. Our results will inform whether erroneous sensorimotor processing may constitute a shared, transdiagnostic mechanism functional disorders and post-COVID symptoms.

In this study, we investigate whether erroneous sensory-motor processing may be an underlying mechanism of post-COVID dizziness. Reports of persistent symptoms in post-COVID are reminiscent of functional symptoms, in that they lead to severe suffering but lack an organ-pathological correlate (Maxwell, 2020; Sollini et al., 2020). Based on previous work with patients with functional dizziness (see Lehnen et al., 2019; Schröder et al., 2021), we employ a gaze-shift paradigm to measure possible deficits in integrating internal model based expectations and sensory information in patients with post-COVID dizziness. Our results will inform whether erroneous sensorimotor processing may be a shared, transdiagnostic mechanism functional dizziness and post-COVID dizziness.

The primary goal of the study is to investigate dyspnea under different breathing conditions in patients with persistent dyspnea and/or fatigue after COVID-19 by using a rebreathing paradigm. We will investigate whether perceived dyspnea differs between patients with post-COVID symptoms and those who do not have persistent symptoms after COVID-19. Furthermore, we will examine whether there are differences in physiological breathing parameters such as breathing flow and CO2 concentration.