Bamberg, Kim Lara (2022) Subjective Neuropsychological Impairments after COVID-19: The Influencing Factors Obesity, Hypertension and Diabetes. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Objective: Only few studies about cognitive impairments in the context of COVID-19 include subjective measurements in executive functions (EFs). The aim of the present study is to explore subjective impairments in EFs in a Dutch-speaking sample of post-COVID-19 participants. The term "subjective" refers to the fact that EFs are measured by participants' self-evaluation. Additionally, it aims to analyse the correlation between comorbidities (i.e., obesity, hypertension, diabetes), age, and perceived deficits in EFs. This research hypothesized that post-COVID-19 participants subjectively report more executive impairments in their everyday life than participants that did not suffer from COVID-19. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that post-COVID-19 participants suffering from either obesity, hypertension, or diabetes report more impairments in EFs compared to those without comorbidities. Finally, it was hypothesized that older post-COVID-19 participants experience more impairments in EFs compared to younger counterparts. Methods: An online survey study was designed, and data was collected from individuals who suffered from COVID-19 (n = 105) and from healthy controls (n = 15). Participants completed the questionnaires BRIEF-A, BDI, and GAD-7 to assess executive functions, depression, and anxiety symptoms respectively. BRIEF-A scores were compared a) between post-COVID-19 participants and healthy controls using one-tailed Mann-Whitney U tests, b) between post-COVID-19 participants with and without comorbidities using one-tailed independent samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, and c) between different age groups using one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Non-parametric alternatives to parametric tests were used when assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variance were violated. Results: Post-COVID-19 participants had significantly higher BRIEF-A scores than healthy controls (i.e., GEC, mean rank: 63.98 vs. 36.13, p < .01; MI, mean rank: 64.38 vs. 33.33, p < .001; BRI, mean rank: 62.88 vs. 43.83, p < .05; Shift, mean rank: 64.10 vs. 35.33, p < .01; Working Memory, mean rank: 65.10 vs. 28.30, p < .001). Post-COVID-19 participants with comorbidities scored significantly higher than those without comorbidities on the Behavioural Regulation Index (mean rank: 62.25 vs. 49.64, p < .05). Statistically significant age effects were only observed in Working Memory scores: participants aged between 30 and 39 scored significantly higher than participants aged between 18 and 29 (Mdn: 20.00 vs. 15.00, p < .05) and participants aged between 30 and 39 scored higher than participants aged 65 and older (Mdn: 20.00 vs. 15.50, p < .05). Conclusion: This research was one of a few to focus on the subjective perception of deficits in EFs. COVID-19 is associated with the experience of post-infectious cognitive impairments. Most importantly, the results raise some issues to the role of comorbidities in deficits in EFs after COVID-19. The results provide valuable information for clinical practice and possible areas of focus in treatment and rehabilitation planning of people who suffered from COVID-19.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Enriquez Geppert, S. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Feb 2022 08:07 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2022 08:07 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/175 |
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