Behavioural Sleep Dysfunction as a Mechanistic Driver of Long COVID Symptom Severity: An Integrative Psychophysiological Investigation (Ref: SSEHS/SF-MFIH26)
About the Project
Sleep disturbances have emerged as one of the most persistent and debilitating symptoms reported by individuals with Long COVID. Prospective cohort work demonstrates that Long COVID is associated with shorter sleep duration, poorer sleep quality, and increased rates of moderate‑to‑severe sleep disturbance up to three years post‑infection. Mechanistic reviews highlight several biological factors that may underpin these disturbances, including neuroinflammation, cytokine imbalance, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, circadian disruption, and mitochondrial impairment, all of which can alter sleep–wake regulation and contribute to insomnia‑like symptoms.
Pre‑infection sleep characteristics also appear relevant: longitudinal UK data show that poor sleep quality and greater variability in sleep efficiency are associated with an increased risk of developing Long COVID. These findings suggest that sleep may both predispose individuals to prolonged post‑viral symptoms and be adversely affected by the condition itself, underscoring a bidirectional relationship. Parallel evidence from behavioural sleep science, demonstrates that insomnia processes such as hyperarousal, irregular sleep schedules, and dysfunctional sleep behaviours negatively affect mood, psychomotor performance, daytime functioning, and overall wellbeing.
These behavioural mechanisms may amplify symptom severity in Long COVID, which is already characterised by fatigue, cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, and impaired physiological recovery. Current literature indicates that sleep dysfunction in Long COVID is likely multifactorial, arising from biological, behavioural, and autonomic pathways and may play a key role in shaping daily functioning and long‑term recovery trajectories. This provides a strong rationale for examining insomnia‑related behavioural processes as potential mechanistic contributors to Long COVID symptom burden and as targets for intervention.
Supervisors
* Primary supervisor: Mark Faghy
* Secondary supervisor: Iuliana Hartescu
Entry requirements
The minimum criteria for Doctoral study are an upper second class bachelor degree or equivalent qualifications and experience, together with an English Language qualification. A degree or equivalent qualifications and experience are preferable in the areas of health, science, and public health.
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26 entry
UK fee - £5,006 Full-time degree per annum
International fee - £28,600 Full-time degree per annum
Tuition fees for 2026-27 entry
UK fee - £5,238 Full-time degree per annum
International fee - £29,500 Full-time degree per annum
Fees for the 2025-26 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2025, January 2026, April 2026 and July 2026. Fees for the 2026-27 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2026, February 2027 and July 2027.
Bench fee value: £10,000 to £20,000
Start date: April 2026, July 2026, October 2026, February 2027
Application deadline: 18 December 2026
Duration: Full-time 3 years / Part-time 6 years
How to apply
All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select Loughborough and select Programme Ph.D. Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.
Please quote the advertised reference number SSEHS/SF-MFIH26 in your application.
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