Post-viral fatigue in COVID-19: A review of symptom assessment methods, mental, cognitive, and physical impairment

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Nov:142:104902. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104902. Epub 2022 Oct 3.

Abstract

Coronavirus 2 is responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the main sequela is persistent fatigue. Post-viral fatigue is common and affects patients with mild, asymptomatic coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, the exact mechanisms involved in developing post-COVID-19 fatigue remain unclear. Furthermore, physical and cognitive impairments in these individuals have been widely described. Therefore, this review aims to summarize and propose tools from a multifaceted perspective to assess COVID-19 infection. Herein, we point out the instruments that can be used to assess fatigue in long-term COVID-19: fatigue in a subjective manner or fatigability in an objective manner. For physical and mental fatigue, structured questionnaires were used to assess perceived symptoms, and physical and cognitive performance assessment tests were used to measure fatigability using reduced performance.

Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome; Coronavirus; Fatigue; Neurologic manifestations; Neuropsychological tests; Physical performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • Cognition
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / etiology
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Fatigue* / diagnosis
  • Fatigue* / etiology
  • Fatigue* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Mental Fatigue / diagnosis
  • Mental Fatigue / etiology
  • Mental Fatigue / physiopathology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Symptom Assessment