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.
Morsa et al. (Fri,) studied this question.