COVID-19: The Relationship Between Cognition and Quality of Life

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between cognitive performance and quality of life (QOL) in non-hospitalized individuals at least 12 weeks post COVID-19 diagnosis. A strong positive relationship was hypothesized. DESIGN: A correlational research design was used. SETTING: Participants were recruited from the general public. All procedures were completed remotely. PARTICIPANTS: Extensive inclusion and exclusion criteria were used. Examples of inclusion criteria included: Between the ages of 18 and 59, tested positive for COVID-19, at least 12 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis, never hospitalized or sought care in an emergency department due to COVID-19 or COVID-19 related symptoms, and no history of brain injury, stroke, or seizures. A volunteer sample of 23 participants completed study tasks. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed an electronic participant intake form, the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), and the Neuro-QOL Item Bank v1.0: Positive Affect and Well-Being. Tasks were part of a larger study. Outcome variables included: ImPACT Two-Factor Score (Memory Composite and Speed Composite) and Neuro-QOL Item Bank v1.0- Positive Affect and Well-Being T-score. A Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationships between: 1. ImPACT Memory Composite and QOL, and 2. ImPACT Speed Composite and QOL. Analysis was conducted with and without outliers due to the small sample size. Results are reported with outliers, as outliers were suspected to represent true variation in performance. Due to a suspected technical error during task administration, one participant's ImPACT Speed Composite was excluded from all analyses. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a small positive non-significant association between QOL and the ImPACT Memory Composite (r(21) = .223; p = .305). A medium positive statistically significant association was found between QOL and the ImPACT Speed Composite (r(20) = .470; p = .027). CONCLUSIONS: While strength of relationships varied, findings suggest positive relationships between cognitive performance and QOL. Clinicians are encouraged to provide a QOL measure to individuals with cognitive impairments following COVID-19. Additional research is warranted given study limitations. AUTHOR(S) DISCLOSURES: None.