Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42258788›Full record

ReviewInteractive journal of medical research2026

Digital Interventions Addressing Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms in Long COVID: Scoping Review of Multicomponent Approaches.

Sandra León-Herrera, Marta Sánchez-Castro, Ana Luisa Neves, Mª Pilar Rodríguez-Pérez, Vinicius Jobim Fischer, Djenna Hutmacher, Reham Aldakhil, Marina Vaillancourt de Dios, Vinicius Anjos de Almeida, Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez and 3 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Interactive journal of medical research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

13 authors.

Sandra León-HerreraDepartment of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1200-5904
Marta Sánchez-CastroDepartment of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0310-0360
Ana Luisa NevesDepartment of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom, 44 (0)20 7589 5111.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7107-7211
Mª Pilar Rodríguez-PérezDepartment of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5677-6188
Vinicius Jobim FischerRehaklinik, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-psychiatrique (CHNP), Ettelbruck, Luxembourg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3923-0420
Djenna HutmacherRehaklinik, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-psychiatrique (CHNP), Ettelbruck, Luxembourg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2403-8567
Reham AldakhilDepartment of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom, 44 (0)20 7589 5111.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6975-3858
Marina Vaillancourt de DiosFaculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6237-9486
Vinicius Anjos de AlmeidaUniversity of Säo Paulo, Säo Paulo, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-1273-586X
Bárbara Oliván-BlázquezDepartment of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6565-9699
Rosa Magallón-BotayaDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5494-6550
Charles BenoyRehaklinik, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-psychiatrique (CHNP), Ettelbruck, Luxembourg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1478-0135
Raquel Gómez-BravoRehaklinik, Centre Hospitalier Neuro-psychiatrique (CHNP), Ettelbruck, Luxembourg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3786-8626

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Long COVID, or postacute COVID-19 syndrome, presents with persistent cognitive and psychological symptoms such as brain fog, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, significantly impacting quality of life and daily functioning. Digital health interventions offer a scalable, accessible solution to bridge care gaps, especially where conventional neuropsychological support is limited. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness for neuropsychiatric symptoms in long COVID remains fragmented. Objective: This scoping review aimed to systematically identify and map the existing evidence on digital interventions targeting cognitive and psychological symptoms in individuals with long COVID. The review also sought to categorize intervention types, assess reported outcomes, and identify methodological gaps to inform future clinical and research priorities. Methods: The review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Comprehensive searches were conducted in 4 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) from December 2024 to February 2025. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed and gray literature published in English or Spanish since 2020. Studies were screened and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized charting form and synthesized narratively, with thematic grouping by intervention type. Results: Of 888 records identified, 25 (2.82%) were included. Intervention types encompassed telehealth platforms, mobile health apps, virtual reality, online cognitive and psychological therapies, game-based cognitive training, neuromodulation (transcranial direct current stimulation), and multicomponent programs. Most studies reported improvements in psychological well-being, emotional regulation, and cognitive domains such as attention and memory. However, findings varied, with some interventions showing no significant cognitive gains or sustained effects. Common limitations included small sample sizes, lack of control groups, heterogeneity in outcomes and intervention protocols, and short follow-up durations. The underrepresentation of older adults and underserved populations was also noted. Conclusions: Digital interventions show promise for addressing cognitive and psychological symptoms in long COVID, particularly when delivered as multicomponent programs. Nonetheless, the evidence base remains preliminary. Future research should prioritize high-quality randomized trials with standardized outcome measures, long-term follow-up, and diverse participant samples. Addressing barriers related to digital literacy and access will be essential to ensure equity and real-world effectiveness.

Indexed as

cognitive symptomsdigital health interventionseHealthlong COVIDpostacute COVID-19 syndromepsychological symptomstelehealth

Identifiers

PMID42258788
PMCPMC13245839

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.