Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39863405›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Exploring the experiences of cognitive symptoms in Long COVID: a mixed-methods study in the UK.

Amy Miller, Ning Song, Manoj Sivan, Rumana Chowdhury, Melanie Rose Burke

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Neurodegenerative and Cognitive Consequences of Long COVID.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Amy MillerUniversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK ps16am@leeds.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8549-5158
Ning SongUniversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Manoj SivanUniversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0334-2968
Rumana ChowdhuryLeeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
Melanie Rose BurkeUniversity of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Funding

Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo explore the lived experiences and extent of cognitive symptoms in Long COVID (LC) in a UK-based sample.

designThis 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.

settingFocus groups were conducted in April 2023 online via Zoom and in-person at the University of Leeds, UK.

participants25 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.

resultsReduced 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.

conclusionCognitive 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.

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionCOVID-19Activities of Daily LivingAdultAgedFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2United KingdomYoung AdultCognitionCOVID-19PUBLIC HEALTHQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID39863405
PMCPMC11784330

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.