Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Basel Long COVID-19 Cohort Study and Digital Long COVID Substudy

Switzerland120 participantsStarted 2023-04-20

Plain-language summary

The Basel Long COVID Cohort Study (BALCoS) is a registry-based cohort study that focuses on the patients' present health status, symptoms, the course of these symptoms, and potential mechanisms involved. The project aims to investigate proposed mechanisms behind Post COVID-19 condition (PCC), including a) autoimmunity, b) chronic inflammation, c) genetics, d) coagulation disorders, and e) psychosocial factors. Patients in the cohort can also join the Digital Long COVID Study (DiLCoS), a single-arm, cohort-based proof-of-feasibility study that is part of the larger BALCoS. DiLCoS is a intervention substudy designed to evaluate whether doing exercises delivered via a smartphone app (referred as digital intervention) can help with PCC. The digital intervention is a 12-week program that includes different kinds of exercises like breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and tips on managing fatigue and other symptoms. It also teaches patients how to monitor their activities and energy levels, and provides psychological exercises to cope with negative thoughts and pain. Patients in the cohort complete a set of assessments that include the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data, biomarkers, neurocognitive testing, psychometric questionnaires, and measures of physical performance, and provide consent that their data from routine clinical care can be used for the study.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with PCC will be included. PCC will be defined as: * History of confirmed or suspected SARS CoV-2 infection * Symptoms usually start within 3 months from the onset of acute SARS CoV-2 infection with symptoms and effects that last for at least 2 months * Symptoms cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis * signed informed consent is required Additional Inclusion Criteria for participtation in DiLCoS: * A smartphone with a compartible-operating system * Separate signed informed consent is required Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 years * Lack of consent to participate in the study * Language barriers (lack of sufficient knowledge of German) * Lack of general understanding of study procedures

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) (12- item version)

Timeframe: At Baseline, T1 (BL + 3 months), T2 (BL + 6 months); T3 (BL + 12 months)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05781893

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-04

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC) trials