People suffering from neuropsychological effects of long COVID are at risk of “life disruption”
A study coordinated by IDIAPJGol highlights the challenges in addressing symptoms and the need for greater social and healthcare recognition
A research team from IDIAPJGol, composed of Eduard Moreno-Gabriel, Jofre Bielsa Pascual, Maria Verdaguer, Meritxell Carmona Cervelló, Noemí Lamonja Vicente, Brenda Biaani León Gómez, Concepció Violan, and Pere Torán Monserrat, has analyzed the impact of neuropsychological symptoms in patients with long COVID in Catalonia. Study participants report a global impact and fluctuations in the progression of the disease, often experiencing periods of improvement followed by relapses. One of the main problems for patients is the difficulty in addressing cognitive symptoms, which include episodes of “brain fog,” memory loss, and reduced attention span. These symptoms affect daily life and lead to the perception of a profound change in their personal and professional identity.
Life disruption
The results reveal that this condition causes significant life disruption, impacting quality of life, mental health, and the professional sphere. The study highlights the need to integrate insights from similar syndromes, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, and to involve patients in research and clinical management. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of psychoeducation for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to reduce stigma and improve specialized care.
Faced with this situation, many patients have developed coping strategies, such as activity regulation to avoid physical and cognitive overload. However, there is also a sense of misunderstanding and lack of recognition from the social and healthcare environment. In this regard, affected individuals value participation in scientific studies positively, as it allows them to regain part of their agency and contribute to a better understanding of the disease.
A qualitative study
The study was conducted through in-depth interviews with 34 adults diagnosed with long COVID and neuropsychological symptoms. The research followed an interpretative phenomenological approach, with a qualitative analysis of the participants’ narratives. The researchers identified three key themes in the patients’ experiences: the perception of life disruption, coping strategies, and the need for formal recognition.
The results of this research underscore the urgency of a multidisciplinary approach that considers not only the physical sequelae of long COVID but also its neuropsychological and social impact. This includes strengthening primary care, training professionals, and promoting integration and support strategies for patients, aiming to improve their quality of life and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.
Article reference
Moreno-Gabriel E, Bielsa-Pascual J, Verdaguer M, Carmona-Cervelló M, Lamonja Vicente N, León Gómez BB, Violan C, Torán-Monserrat P. Experiencias de las personas con sintomatología neuropsicológica de covid persistente en Cataluña: un estudio fenomenológico [Patients’ experiences of long-covid neuropsychological symptoms in Catalonia: A phenomenological study]. Aten Primaria. 2025 Jan 23;57(6):103214. Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2024.103214. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39854988; PMCID: PMC11803842.
