ABSTRACT
It is widely known that COVID-19 has a number of prolonged effects on general health, wellbeing, and cognitive functioning. However, studies using differentiated performance measures of cognitive functions are still not widely spread making it hard to assess the exact functions that get impaired. Taking into account the similarities between post-COVID 'brain fog' and chemofog, we hypothesized that executive functions (EF) would be impaired. Literature search yielded six studies with 14 effect sizes of interest; pooled effect size was small to medium (d = -0.35). Combined with a narrative synthesis of six studies without a comparison group, these results show that EF get impaired after COVID-19; although, in most cases the impairment is transient and does not seem to be severe. These results specify the picture of 'brain fog' and may help to discover its mechanisms and ways of helping people with long COVID.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cognition Disorders , Humans , Executive Function , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome , Cognition , Cognition Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
COVID-19 is associated with a range of sequelae, including cognitive dysfunctions as long-standing symptoms. Considering that the number of people infected worldwide keeps growing, it is important to understand specific domains of impairments to further organize appropriate rehabilitation procedures. In this study we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate specific cognitive functions impacted by COVID-19. A literature search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Academic Search Premier, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and preprint databases (OSF and PsyArXiv via OSF Preprints, medRxiv, bioRxiv, Research Square). We included the studies that compared cognitive functioning in COVID-19 reconvalescents and healthy controls, and used at least one validated neuropsychological test. Our findings show that short-term memory in the verbal domain, and possibly, visual short-term memory and attention, are at risk in COVID-19 reconvalescents. The impact of COVID-19 on cognitive functioning has yet to be studied in detail. In the future more controlled studies with validated computerized tests might help deepen our understanding of the issue. PSYCINFO CLASSIFICATION: 3360 Health Psychology & Medicine.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Cognition , Attention , Memory, Short-Term , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
COVID-19 is associated with a range of long-lasting symptoms related to cognitive and psycho-emotional spheres. Even mild cases of the disease can lead to persistent cognitive deficits and deterioration of the psycho-emotional state. The purpose of our study was to examine the presence and frequency of psycho-emotional disorders and cognitive deficits in students who recovered from mild form of COVID-19. A total of 40 COVID-19 survivors and 25 healthy controls participated in our study. We assessed three core cognitive functions (inhibition, working memory, task-switching), reaction time and motor speed. We also assessed depression, anxiety and fatigue with self-report questionnaires. The COVID-19 group manifested increased depression and decreased inhibition in comparison with the controls. Our results show that even in young adults who have recovered from mild COVID-19, there are persisting cognitive and psycho-emotional deficits.