Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Long COVID Brain Fog and Fatigue
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-70
SponsorUniversity of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
About this trial
Long COVID can cause persistent symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties commonly described as brain fog, reduced exercise tolerance, and impaired quality of life. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may help modulate brain activity in regions involved in cognition, fatigue, and executive function.
The NEUROSTIM-LC study will evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of repeated tDCS sessions in adults with long COVID presenting fatigue and/or brain fog. Participants will receive 30 sessions of tDCS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Assessments will be performed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in quality of life, fatigue, cognitive function, brain metabolism, physical performance, autonomic function, sleep quality, psychological symptoms, respiratory function, and blood biomarkers.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Adults aged between 18 and 70 years.
Diagnosis of long COVID according to World Health Organization criteria, defined as symptoms persisting for at least three months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and lasting for a minimum of two months without an alternative explanation.
Presence of persistent fatigue and/or cognitive impairment, commonly described as brain fog, attributed to long COVID and confirmed at screening.
Stable clinical condition allowing participation in the intervention and assessment procedures.
Disqualifiers
Contraindications to transcranial direct current stimulation, including the presence of implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers or neurostimulators, intracranial metallic implants, or history of epilepsy or seizures.
History of neurological disorders that may affect cognitive function, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, or neurodegenerative disorders.
Pre-existing conditions associated with chronic fatigue or cognitive impairment prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or multiple sclerosis.
Severe psychiatric disorders, including psychosis or severe depression.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Treatment groups
20 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupLocations
Sponsors and collaborators
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Lead sponsor
Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias
Collaborator
Canary Islands Health Service
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov