Impacts of Post-Covid Condition PCC in Sweden: a cross-sectional observational survey study, 2026, Jovicic et al.

[SNT Gatchaman]

Impacts of Post-Covid Condition PCC in Sweden: a cross-sectional observational survey study

Spoiler: Authors

Jovicic, Filip; McCracken, Lance M; Rozental, Alexander; Buhrman, Monica

BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic left many people with persistent health problems following a COVID-19 infection. Research on the condition better known as Post-Covid Condition (PCC) is still inconclusive, and few evidence-based treatments are currently available, although several studies report promising results. There are however people in need of treatment and support.

METHODS
To better understand what such help might entail, we conducted an online-based survey (n = 629, 82.6% women) to examine the impact of PCC in Sweden and explore relationships among various variables using correlation analysis. Swedish-speaking adults with at least one persisting health problem after COVID-19 were included in the study. The survey included demographic and psychosocial variables, historic COVID-19 data, other clinical measures of psychological distress, satisfaction with life, and daily functioning impairment.

RESULTS
Results indicate a substantial and heterogeneous impact of PCC in this sample. Participants reported an average of 10.70 (SD = 5.62) symptoms with the most frequently reported being fatigue (90.9%, n = 507) and cognitive deficits (73.3%, n = 409). The highest average symptom burden scores were reported for post-exertional malaise (PEM; M = 8.37, SD = 1.70) and fatigue (M = 8.22, SD = 1.77). Medication, self-help advice, and physiotherapy were the most frequently reported treatment modalities. Most participants reported their problems being unchanged or improved after treatment, but there were reports of worsening as well. Regarding psychological distress, participants reported mild anxiety, moderate depression, and subclinical but notable levels of sleeping problems. On average, daily functioning was substantially impaired by PCC and participants reported being “somewhat dissatisfied with life”. The correlational analyses revealed several significant correlations (|r| = 0.11-0.93, p < .01), with strongest relationships between the clinical variables.

CONCLUSIONS
While this study aimed to measure impacts of PCC in many different areas of life, it holds some limitations, and there are many questions remaining. We present several recommendations for methodology and future research topics. Identifying modifiable variables that can be used in developing a treatment is naturally a next step. Based on empiric evidence from similar conditions, psychological flexibility (PF) may be a promising one.

Web | DOI | PDF | BMC Public Health | Open Access

 

[SNT Gatchaman]

We have several recommendations for future research. While it is tempting to focus on an underlying cause of symptoms and then plan to match specific treatments with this cause or causes [43], another approach is possible. Previous research shows beneficial effects of cognitive training on stress-related cognitive deficits, for example [44], and while such approaches may work for stress-related conditions, the same need not necessarily be true for conditions like PCC. Given the complexity and multi-symptom nature of PCC, one could adopt a process-based approach and apply treatment that is able to simultaneously address multiple underlying causes or mechanisms, and multiple symptoms or impacts.

One such approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is grounded in the psychological flexibility (PF) model [48]. We know that ACT is an effective treatment for increasing quality of life and functioning in the context of chronic pain [49], cancer [50] and other chronic health conditions [51]. It also appears feasible for patients with chronic fatigue (ME/CFS), a condition quite similar to PCC, as a previous study found that disability was reduced (d = 0.80) and that ACT was both safe and accepted by participants [52].

 

[Utsikt]

It also appears feasible for patients with chronic fatigue (ME/CFS), a condition quite similar to PCC, as a previous study found that disability was reduced (d = 0.80) and that ACT was both safe and accepted by participants [52].

52 is this paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212144718301959

Fukuda, no control group, only subjective outcomes, and an intervention that attempt to manipulate thoughts and behaviours.

They are really scraping the bottom of the barrel here. I wonder why the authors felt the need to include this particular recommendation..

 

[Trish]

What a waste of time, effort and funds. Ask a bunch of psychologists, and they inevitably come up with a psych answer:

Their recommendations:
'psychological flexibility' - plucked from nowhere.
ACT - no evidence.

Bah humbug.