Thailand Medical: University Of Phayao Researchers Find That Cognitive Function And Physical Performance Of Youths Exposed To SARS-CoV-2 Are Lowered!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 25, 2024 2 months, 2 days, 10 hours, 29 minutes ago
Thailand Medical: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed numerous challenges to global health, with respiratory symptoms being the most commonly observed. However, emerging evidence suggests that the impact of the virus extends beyond the respiratory system, affecting various organs and systems in the body. Among these, the nervous system has drawn attention, with reports indicating potential cognitive impairment in individuals recovering from COVID-19. The University of Phayao in Thailand conducted a study to investigate the cognitive function and physical performance of young adults who had experienced COVID-19, comparing them with a control group that had not contracted the virus.
Thailand Medical: University Of Phayao Researchers Find That
Cognitive Function And Physical Performance Of Youths
Exposed To SARS-CoV-2 Are Lowered!
Understanding the Relationship between COVID-19 and Cognitive Function
While the primary symptoms of COVID-19 are respiratory, the virus has been associated with neurological effects, including cognitive impairment. This
Thailand Medical study aimed to shed light on the cognitive function of young adults post-COVID-19 infection, focusing on executive function, processing speed, memory, and attention.
Previous research has yielded conflicting results regarding the prevalence of cognitive impairment post-COVID-19, with studies reporting percentages ranging from 2.6% to 81%. The discrepancy in findings may be attributed to varying factors such as age, severity of COVID-19, and study population. The University of Phayao study specifically targeted young adults, recognizing the potential impact on academic performance and quality of life in this demographic.
Physical Performance and its Association with Cognitive Function
Notably, the study also explored the connection between physical performance and cognitive function in the context of COVID-19. Previous research had highlighted a reduction in physical performance among COVID-19 patients, but few studies had investigated the relationship between physical and cognitive aspects in mild cases, especially in young individuals.
The study utilized the six-minute walk test (6MWT) to assess physical performance, a measure that has been previously linked to cognitive function. The results hinted at a trend of lower physical performance in the COVID-19 group, aligning with findings from other studies that emphasized the potential impact of systemic inflammation, cardiovascular dysfunction, and reduced physical activity during quarantine on physical performance post-COVID-19.
Study Results and Discussion
The participants in the COVID-19 group, who were 3–12 months post-diagnosis and had experienced mild symptoms, displayed tendencies towards lower cognitive and physical performance compared to the control group. However, these differences did not reach statistical significance, raising questions about the direct negative effe
cts of COVID-19 on these parameters in young adults.
This finding aligns with some previous studies that also failed to identify statistically significant differences in cognitive function between those who recovered from COVID-19 and those who did not. However, other research contradicts these results, emphasizing significant differences in memory, attention, executive function, and language in post-COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls.
Possible Explanations and Limitations
Several factors may contribute to the variability in findings across studies. Age and severity of COVID-19 are crucial factors, with older individuals and those with more acute symptoms potentially facing a higher risk of post-COVID cognitive dysfunction. The participants in the Thai study were younger, experienced mild symptoms, and recovered at home, possibly contributing to the lack of a clear effect on cognitive function.
However, the study acknowledged limitations, including a small sample size and the absence of pre-COVID-19 assessments. A larger sample size and pre-infection data would strengthen the study's findings and better establish the causal relationship between COVID-19 and reduced cognitive function and physical performance.
Conclusion
The research findings provide valuable insights into the potential impact of COVID-19 on the cognitive function and physical performance of young adults. While the study suggests tendencies towards lower performance in the post-COVID-19 group, the lack of statistical significance prompts the need for further investigation.
Future studies with larger sample sizes, including pre-infection assessments, will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognitive and physical aspects in various population groups. Early detection of cognitive impairment is crucial for planning effective interventions and mitigating the potential consequences on academic and occupational performance, as well as overall quality of life in young adults.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: International Journal of Adolescence and Youth (Taylor & Francis).
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2024.2321219
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