Miller Amy, Song Ning, Sivan Manoj, Chowdhury Rumana, Burke Melanie Rose
University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 25;15(1):e084999. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084999.
To explore the lived experiences and extent of cognitive symptoms in Long COVID (LC) in a UK-based sample.
This study implemented a mixed-methods design. Eight focus groups were conducted to collect qualitative data, and the Framework Analysis was used to reveal the experiences and impact of cognitive symptoms. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data to assess the perceived change and extent of symptomology post COVID-19.
Focus groups were conducted in April 2023 online via Zoom and in-person at the University of Leeds, UK.
25 people with LC living in the UK participated in the study. Participants were aged 19-76 years (M=43.6 years, SD=14.7) and included 17 women and 8 men.
Reduced cognitive ability was among the most prevalent symptoms reported by the study participants. Three key themes were identified from the qualitative data: (1) rich accounts of cognitive symptoms; (2) the impact on physical function and psychological well-being and (3) symptom management. Descriptions of cognitive symptoms included impairments in memory, attention, language, executive function and processing speed. Cognitive symptoms had a profound impact on physical functioning and psychological well-being, including reduced ability to work and complete activities of daily living. Strategies used for symptom management varied in effectiveness.
Cognitive dysfunction in LC appears to be exacerbated by vicious cycle of withdrawal from daily life including loss of employment, physical inactivity and social isolation driving low mood, anxiety and poor cognitive functioning. Previous evidence has revealed the anatomical and physiological biomarkers in the brain affecting cognition in LC. To synthesise these contributing factors, we propose the Long-COVID Interacting Network of factors affecting Cognitive Symptoms. This framework is designed to inform clinicians and researchers to take a comprehensive approach towards LC rehabilitation, targeting the neural, individual and lifestyle factors.
在一个英国样本中探究长新冠（LC）患者认知症状的实际经历及程度。
本研究采用混合方法设计。开展了8个焦点小组以收集定性数据，并使用框架分析法揭示认知症状的经历及影响。使用一份自我报告问卷收集定量数据，以评估新冠病毒感染后认知症状的感知变化及程度。
2023年4月，焦点小组通过Zoom在线进行，以及在英国利兹大学现场进行。
25名居住在英国的长新冠患者参与了该研究。参与者年龄在19 - 76岁之间（平均年龄M = 43.6岁，标准差SD = 14.7），包括17名女性和8名男性。
认知能力下降是研究参与者报告的最常见症状之一。从定性数据中确定了三个关键主题：（1）对认知症状的丰富描述；（2）对身体功能和心理健康的影响；（3）症状管理。认知症状的描述包括记忆、注意力、语言、执行功能和处理速度方面的损害。认知症状对身体功能和心理健康产生了深远影响，包括工作能力和完成日常生活活动能力的下降。用于症状管理的策略效果各异。
长新冠患者的认知功能障碍似乎因脱离日常生活的恶性循环而加剧，包括失业、缺乏身体活动和社会隔离，进而导致情绪低落、焦虑和认知功能不佳。先前的证据揭示了大脑中影响长新冠患者认知的解剖学和生理学生物标志物。为了综合这些影响因素，我们提出了影响认知症状的长新冠相互作用因素网络。该框架旨在指导临床医生和研究人员对长新冠康复采取综合方法，针对神经、个体和生活方式因素。
