Psychoeducational interventions for patients with Long COVID and neuropsychological difficulties: A qualitative process evaluation of the COVCOG clinical trial.

Morsa, Maxime; Dothée, Lorène; Cabello Fernandez, Carmen; Lesoinne, Alexia; Collette, Fabienne; Willems, Sylvie

doi:10.1080/09602011.2026.2640067

Article (Scientific journals)

Psychoeducational interventions for patients with Long COVID and neuropsychological difficulties: A qualitative process evaluation of the COVCOG clinical trial.

Morsa, Maxime; Dothée, Lorène; Cabello Fernandez, Carmen et al.

2026 • In Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, p. 1 - 27

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/342542

DOI
10.1080/09602011.2026.2640067

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41791802

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Keywords :

Long COVID; Neuropsychology; Psychoeducation; Qualitative research; Reflexive thematic analysis

Abstract :

[en] Between 2022 and 2024, the COVCOG randomized controlled trial evaluated two psychoeducation interventions for people living with Long COVID: one addressing cognitive difficulties and the other affective difficulties. While the results showed small to moderate improvements in both groups, we still lack information on the individual and contextual mechanisms that facilitated or hindered the benefits of the intervention. Our research aimed to understand how, under what circumstances, and for whom the intervention generates changes. A qualitative process evaluation was conducted with patients and clinicians involved in COVCOG. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Sixteen patients and ten clinicians participated. Five themes were developed, helping to better understand the conditions for intervention success: Being recognized as a person with Long COVID, Learning to manage Long COVID on a daily basis, Changing as a person, Considering life after the intervention, and Adapting the clinical protocol. Our findings highlight the importance of both institutional and interpersonal recognition as a foundational mechanism for engagement and perceived effectiveness. Psychoeducation for people living with Long COVID should be designed as part of a broader, adaptive, and evolving care pathway, by supporting patients in navigating its biographical and functional consequences over time.

Disciplines :

Treatment & clinical psychology

Author, co-author :

Morsa, Maxime ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Recherche qualitative

Dothée, Lorène ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Recherche qualitative

Cabello Fernandez, Carmen ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Psychologie et Neuroscience Cognitives (PsyNCog)

Lesoinne, Alexia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Neuropsychologie de l'adulte

Collette, Fabienne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie

Willems, Sylvie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Psychologie et Neuroscience Cognitives (PsyNCog)

Language :

English

Title :

Psychoeducational interventions for patients with Long COVID and neuropsychological difficulties: A qualitative process evaluation of the COVCOG clinical trial.

Publication date :

2026

Journal title :

Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

ISSN :

0960-2011

eISSN :

1464-0694

Publisher :

Informa UK Limited, England

Pages :

1 - 27

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09602011.2026.2640067

Funders :

KCE - Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre

Available on ORBi :

since 08 March 2026

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