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Long COVID affects working memory: assessment using a single rapid online test
Aziz U R Asghar1,2,3, Hong Kiu Yuen2,4, Murat Aksoy1,2
1Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|August 6, 2026
Summary
Long COVID significantly impairs working memory, especially in clinically diagnosed individuals. This study highlights the need for rapid online assessments to evaluate cognitive function in post-COVID conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome, presents persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Cognitive impairments, including "brain fog," significantly impact patients' quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of long COVID on working memory.
- To utilize a rapid, anonymous online survey and visual working memory quiz for evaluation.
Main Methods:
- 1,064 participants (aged 16-85+) completed the Rapid Objective Working Memory Assessment (ROWMA).
- Working memory scores were analyzed against long COVID status, age, infection history, duration, and brain fog severity.
Main Results:
- Long COVID status was the strongest predictor of working memory performance.
- Participants with long COVID, particularly the clinically diagnosed group, showed significantly lower working memory scores.
- Lower scores correlated with age, multiple infections, severe brain fog, and greater life impact.
Conclusions:
- Long COVID is associated with objective working memory impairment, especially in clinically diagnosed cases.
- Findings support the link between long COVID and cognitive difficulties.
- Rapid, online cognitive assessments are practical for evaluating working memory in this population.
