Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42549610›Full record

ArticleJournal of rehabilitation medicine2026

Neuropsychological consequences three years post-covid-19 are persistent and have great impact on everyday activities.

Ann Björkdahl, Jerry Larsson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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

2 authors.

Ann BjörkdahlSahlgrenska University Hospital, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Rehabilitation medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden. ann.bjorkdahl@rehab.gu.se.ORCID 0000-0002-2194-6773
Jerry LarssonUniversity of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Rehabilitation medicine; Gothenburg, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivePost-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is associated with persistent cognitive dysfunction and fatigue, but limited evidence is available regarding long-term outcomes beyond one year.

designLongitudinal follow-up assessment. PATIENTS: Patients who had been previously hospitalized or treated in primary care after COVID-19 infection.

methodsCognitive performance (WAIS-III subtests, Rey Complex Figure, RAVLT, and D2 Test of Attention) and fatigue (MFI-20 and MFS) were examined in 82 participants at 18 months post-infection; 59 of these participants were reassessed at 36 months. Activity limitations were evaluated using structured interviews.

resultsAt 18 months, the scores on most cognitive tests were significantly below expected premorbid levels (mean differences: 7-17 T-points). At 36 months, deficits persisted in most domains, with only WAIS Matrices and D2 KL showing modest improvement (Cohen's d: ~0.4). Fatigue remained high across all dimensions of MFI-20, and 75-78% of patients exceeding the mental fatigue cut-off of MFS. Self-reported cognitive impact and activity limitations showed minimal change over time.

conclusionsPost-COVID-19 cognitive dysfunction and fatigue remain prevalent for up to three years post-infection, particularly affecting attention, processing speed, and working memory. These deficits pose substantial barriers to daily functioning and return to work, highlighting the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Indexed as

Activities of Daily LivingCognitive DysfunctionCOVID-19FatigueAdultAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeSARS-CoV-2

Identifiers

PMID42549610
PMCPMC13446171

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.