Brain Fog and Fatigue following COVID-19 Infection: An Exploratory Study of Patient Experiences of Long COVID

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(23), P. 15499 - 15499

Published: Nov. 23, 2022

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a poorly understood condition with significant impact on quality life. We aimed to better understand the lived experiences patients PASC, focusing cognitive complaints (“brain fog”) and fatigue (1) daily activities, (2) work/employment, (3) interpersonal relationships. conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews 15 Midwestern academic hospital’s post-COVID-19 clinic. audio-recorded, transcribed, analyzed thematically using combined deductive-inductive approach collected participants’ characteristics from chart review. Participants frequently used descriptive metaphorical language describe symptoms that were relapsing-remitting unpredictable. Fatigue brain fog affected all domains identified subthemes included symptoms’ synergistic effects, difficulty multitasking, lack support, poor self-perception, fear loss income employment. Personal relationships change responsibilities, parenting, social isolation, guilt due burdens placed family. Furthermore, underlying stigma contributed negative emotions, which significantly emotional mental health. Our findings highlight PASC’s patients’ lives. Providers can support COVID-19 survivors during their recovery by identifying needs in sensitive timely manner.

Language: Английский

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Patients’ lived experience and reflections on long COVID: an interpretive phenomenological analysis within an integrated adult primary care psychology NHS service

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: March 20, 2023

Abstract Background Long Covid is an unknown illness which has been shown to affect sufferers regardless of mild initial COVID-19 or age. There still a lot about long COVID illness. call understand this not only from professional standpoint but also through the lived experience patients. Patient reported outcomes research one such angle. To date, no explored overall experiences and trajectory perspectives This study aimed gather patient their research. It recruited adult participants aged 18-years over who had referred primary care integrated psychology service. The employed qualitative using semi-structured interviews Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Results A total eighteen completed study. From experiences, uncovered varied symptoms COVID. They progression living with chronic Common themes included uncertainty, mental social impacts, processes self-advocacy, mastering symptoms, subjective recovery future coping. Conclusion in participants. results biopsychosocial Traditionally, patients receive recommendations healthcare professionals. However, as new illness, model was limited. current described being left sense uncertainty role confusion. were able realize locus control progression. illustrates that have resources uncover unknowns could inform clinical practice further suggests needs be approached perspective emphasises involvement.

Language: Английский

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“They seemed to be like cogs working in different directions”: a longitudinal qualitative study on Long COVID healthcare services in the United Kingdom from a person-centred lens

BMC Health Services Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to the already over-stretched healthcare system in United Kingdom (UK). These are particularly pronounced for people living with novel condition of Long COVID (LC) as they often face persistent and fluctuating symptoms, encountering prolonged uncertainty when seeking medical support. Despite a growing understanding associated LC, existing qualitative studies have predominantly focused on individual experiences rather than examining structural aspects healthcare. Methods A longitudinal study 80 participants 12 practitioners was conducted UK explore those LC. In total, 178 interviews (with attrition) were collected across two rounds, from November 2021 March 2022, June October 2022. Results Embracing person-centred framework that recognises nurtures interconnected individual, relational, existential needs, we investigated related LC primary, secondary, specialist integrated care. Using this perspective, identified three overarching themes. Theme 1 addresses hurdle accessing primary care initial point contact healthcare; 2 underscores complexity navigating secondary care; 3 encapsulates distinctive developing themes interlinked, had navigate or struggle between various systems, collaborate breadth their professional responsibilities. Conclusion From approach, able identify needs affected by lasting symptoms comprehend how health services intricately influence these needs. focus systems also captures nuanced impact continuing struggles can people’s identity. As such, our findings provide evidence inform more effective sustainable delivery settings over time.

Language: Английский

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Post-COVID-19 conditions and health effects in Africa: a scoping review

BMJ Open, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. e088983 - e088983

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused global devastations in social, economic and health systems of every nation, but disproportionately nations Africa. In addition to its grave effects on the systems, there is continuation or development new symptoms among individuals who have contracted virus, with potential further stress continent. Therefore, aim this scoping review was collate summarise existing research evidence prevalence post–COVID-19 conditions Methods analysis Five main databases were thoroughly searched from 1 September 2023 10 May 2024 for eligible articles based pre-established inclusion exclusion criteria. These included PubMed, Central, Scopus, Dimensions AI JSTOR. A total 17 papers review. protocol already published BMJ Open; doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082519. Results Africa ranged 2% as high 94.7%. Fatigue, dyspnoea brain fog commonly reported conditions. Reduced functional status well physical psychosocial disorders by studies reviewed, no study yet Conclusions There an African setting. However, limited patients Ethics dissemination This involved secondary data; therefore, ethical approval needed. Dissemination result being done through international journals may also be presented at available conferences.

Language: Английский

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Beyond Narrative Relief: Exploring the Impacts of Lacking Feedback and Perceived Cyber-Ostracism Based on the Temporal Need-Threat Model

Health Communication, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 12

Published: March 31, 2025

Social media are increasingly becoming public venues for patients to create and share illness narratives. While prior research has primarily focused on the positive supportive roles of social in patients' seeking obtaining support, little is known about possible negative impacts lacking feedback when sharing narratives these connected interactive platforms. By incorporating notion cyber-ostracism from psychology drawing upon Williams's temporal need-threat model (TNTM), this study proposed tested a series serial-parallel mediation models that link amount, psychological well-being, and/or various coping intentions (i.e. withdraw narration positively/negatively comment others' narratives), sequentially through perceived ostracism different need satisfaction belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, control). Findings move beyond longstanding focus narrative relief effects, shedding light backfire effects such received or even no others environment.

Language: Английский

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‘The Second Arrow’: A Collaborative Autoethnographic Exploration of What Can Be Learned From One Long COVID Journey

Health Expectations, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(3)

Published: April 23, 2025

ABSTRACT Introduction Long COVID is a complex multisystem illness with multiple relapsing‐remitting symptoms, which can vary in severity and impact people's daily lives. This study utilises the first author's experience of falling ill recovering from long to investigate lived illness. Learnings that could positively influence how people COVID, health professionals, approach rehabilitation recovery going forward are identified. Methods Employing collaborative autoethnography, author investigated her personal with, rehabilitating from, while soliciting input second (an athletic therapist physiotherapist, researcher expertise chronic pain) for purpose analysis interpretation. Reflexive thematic was employed across number data sources available author, including journal entries, text messages, emails, pharmacy receipts. Results Four themes were generated data, supported by subthemes: (i) Psychosocial (ii) Invalidated, (iii) Validated, (iv) Power Ownership. The negative siloed reductionist care evident findings this study. In addition, need healthcare environments enhance autonomy empowerment, implement patient‐centred care, where person living engage management strategies meet their needs, underlined. Conclusion highlights detrimental cost, both personally financially, ongoing use biomedical model treatment COVID. Findings support an interdisciplinary considers whole adopts biopsychosocial care. Furthermore, professionals actively listen to, respect, validate on individualised journey evident. Patient or Public Contribution patient, context extent explained within paper. As such, paper developed written primarily perspective as first‐hand narrative illness, insights clinician (second author) providing potential broader understanding journey. goal work is, through dissemination paper's findings, improve pathways outcomes others

Language: Английский

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An Adaptive Pacing Intervention for Adults Living With Long COVID: A Narrative Study of Patient Experiences of Using the PaceMe app

Journal of Patient Experience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Adaptive pacing (AP) is a self-management technique which seeks to balance energy and rest in individuals with chronic health conditions. can help people myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome learn how manage their expenditure thereby reducing risk of post-exertional malaise (PEM) other symptoms. Given some symptom similarity, AP also has rehabilitation potential for experiencing disability from long COVID. The purpose this study was explore patient experiences an intervention (the "PaceMe" app) determine its value Twenty-five participants each took part two narrative interviews (at start point at 3-6 months). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Our analysis identified 4 themes relating key benefits the PaceMe app: (1) PEM management, (2) Support, (3) Validation, (4) Control Agency. By illuminating critical facts centring voices, these findings contribute better understanding needs those COVID highlight digital as vital component rehabilitation.

Language: Английский

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Awareness and care seeking for long COVID symptoms among Coronavirus disease survivors in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: phenomenological study

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: May 24, 2023

Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has long-term sequels that persisted for months to years and manifested with a spectrum of signs symptoms. Presentations long COVID-19 symptoms are heterogeneous, vary from person person, can reach up over 200 Limited studies conducted on the awareness COVID-19. So, this study aimed explore about care seeking among COVID survivors in Bahir Dar City 2022. Methods A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Participants were individuals who survived five or longer after they tested positive city. Individuals selected purposively. An in-depth interview guide prepared used collect data. Open Cod 4.03 software coding synthesizing. Thematic analysis analyze transcripts. Results The themes emerged data awareness, experience their effects, practices Although only one participant mentioned common experienced general, respiratory, cardiac, digestive, neurological, other These include rash, fatigue fever, cough, palpitations, shortness breath, chest pain, abdominal loss concentration, smell, sleep disorder, depression, joint muscle pain. brought various physical psychosocial effects. majority respondents described will go off by themselves. To alleviate problems some participants had taken different measures including medical care, homemade remedies, spiritual solutions, lifestyle modification. Conclusions result revealed have significant deficit symptoms, risk groups, communicability Long COVID. However, problems,

Language: Английский

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A Study of Reasons for Self-Disclosure on Social Media among Chinese COVID-19 Patients: Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior Model

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. 1509 - 1509

Published: May 22, 2023

With a massive population of internet users, China has witnessed shift in the behavior social media users towards COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning from reticence to frequent sharing information response changing circumstances and policy adjustments disease. This study aims explore how perceived benefits, risks, subjective norms, self-efficacy influence intentions Chinese patients disclose their medical history on media, thus examine actual disclosure behaviors. Based Theory Planned Behavior (TPB) Privacy Calculus (PCT), structural equation model was constructed analyze paths among self-efficacy, behavioral patients. A total 593 valid surveys were collected via randomized internet-based survey, which constituted representative sample. Firstly, we used SPSS 26.0 conduct reliability validity analyses questionnaire, as well tests demographic differences correlations between variables. Next, Amos employed construct test fit degree, identify relationships latent variables, path tests. Our findings revealed following: (1) There significant gender self-disclosure behaviors (2) Perceived benefits had positive effect (β = 0.412, p < 0.001); risks 0.097, 0.05); norms 0.218, 0.136, 0.001). (3) Self-disclosure 0.356, study, by integrating TPB PCT influencing factors found that We also intentions, turn, positively influenced However, did not observe direct provides sample application context It introduces novel perspective potential approach for individuals address feelings fear shame related illness, particularly within collectivist cultural values.

Language: Английский

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Illness Experiences of Brazilian People Who Were Hospitalized Due to COVID-19 and Faced Long COVID Repercussions in Their Daily Life: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study

Behavioral Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1), P. 14 - 14

Published: Dec. 23, 2023

Long COVID is a multisystem condition that has multiple consequences for the physical, mental, and social health of COVID-19 survivors. The impact long remains unclear, particularly among middle-aged older adults, who are at greater risk than younger people persisting symptoms associated with COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to understand experiences had been hospitalized repercussions long-term in their daily lives. A qualitative study was carried out, adopting framework constructivist grounded theory (CGT) proposed by Kathy Charmaz. Fifty-six adult participants from southern region Brazil were recruited. Data gathered semi-structured telephone interviews. Concomitantly comparative analysis performed identify categories codes using MaxQDA

Language: Английский

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