Respiratory psychophysiology and COVID-19: A research agenda

Biol Psychol. 2023 Jan:176:108473. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108473. Epub 2022 Dec 16.

Abstract

After multiple waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that the impact of SARS-CoV-2 will carry on for years to come. Acutely infected patients show a broad range of disease severity, depending on virus variant, vaccination status, age and the presence of underlying medical and physical conditions, including obesity. Additionally, a large number of patients who have been infected with the virus present with post-COVID syndrome. In September 2020, the International Society for the Advancement of Respiratory Psychophysiology organized a virtual interest meeting on 'Respiratory research in the age of COVID-19', which aimed to discuss how research in respiratory psychophysiology could contribute to a better understanding of psychophysiological interactions in COVID-19. In the resulting current paper, we propose an interdisciplinary research agenda discussing selected research questions on acute and long-term neurobiological, physiological and psychological outcomes and mechanisms related to respiration and the airways in COVID-19, as well as research questions on comorbidity and potential treatment options, such as physical rehabilitation.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Psychophysiology
  • Respiration
  • SARS-CoV-2