LISTEN: Lived Experiences of Long COVID: A Social Media Analysis of Mental Health and Supplement Use

Sam Martin^1,2*Maya Janse Van Rensburg³Huong Thien Le³Charlie Firth⁴Abinaya Chandrasekar¹Sigrún Eyrúnardóttir Clark¹Samantha Vanderslott⁵Cecilia Vindrola-Padros¹Norha Vera San Juan¹

• ¹Rapid Research, Evaluation, and Appraisal Lab (RREAL), Department of Targeted Intervention, University College London, London, United Kingdom
• ²Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre,, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, United Kingdom
• ³University College London, London, United Kingdom
• ⁴Oxford Vaccine Group, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, United Kingdom
• ⁵Pandemic Sciences Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), is a complex condition characterized by a wide range of persistent symptoms that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and mental health. This study explores public perspectives on the mental health impact of Long COVID and the use of dietary supplements for recovery, drawing on social media content. It uniquely addresses how individuals with Long COVID discuss supplement use in the absence of public health recommendations.The study employs the LISTEN method ("Collaborative and Digital Analysis of Big Qual Data in Time Sensitive Contexts"), an interdisciplinary approach that combines human insight and digital analysis software. Social media data related to Long COVID, mental health, and supplement use, were collected using the Pulsar software and analyzed using a combination of digital tools and collaborative qualitative analysis methods. We collected social media data that discussed Long COVID through the Pulsar Platform, and applied the LISTEN method, combining digital and human analysis. Data were analysed using the free-text discourse analysis tool InfraNodus and collaborative discussion methods.The findings reveal key themes, including the impact of Long COVID on mental health, occupational health, and the use of food supplements. Analysis of attitudes towards supplement use highlights the prevalence of negative emotions and experiences among Long COVID patients. The study also identifies the need for evidence-based recommendations and patient education regarding supplement use. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex nature of Long COVID and inform the development of comprehensive, patientcentered care strategies addressing both physical and mental health needs.