A Pilot rTMS Trial for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Long-COVID (NCT06586398) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
A Pilot rTMS Trial for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Long-COVID
United States10 participantsStarted 2025-01-01
Plain-language summary
This is a pilot randomized trial of rTMS for symptoms of fatigue and brain fog, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms of Long-COVID (Post-COVID, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection, PASC). Twenty participants diagnosed with Long-COVID and recruited from the UCLA Long-COVID clinic will be randomized to receive active rTMS versus sham stimulation for 15 treatments followed by another 15 open-label rTMS treatments. Investigators will compare the safety and tolerability of rTMS vs Sham and examine within-group changes in symptoms of fatigue, sleep, pain, mood, and subjective and objective cognitive impairment. This project will provide information and pilot data for future larger clinical trials.
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
. 18+ years of age
. Prior hx of PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. Determined by the PI or participant's physician.
. Subsequent development of post-acute neuropsychiatric symptoms with fatigue and brain fog as primary outcomes
. USE of Psychotropic medications
. Stable on psychotropic medications for 4+ months
. Confirmed diagnosis of Long COVID
. Subjects are willing and able to adhere to the treatment schedule and required study visits
Exclusion criteria
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
1
Tolerability as measured by Safteesi survey
Timeframe: Baseline, after every 5th treatment, through study completion, an average of 12 weeks.
2
Safety profile and adverse events
Timeframe: Baseline, after every 5th treatment, through study completion, an average of 12 weeks.
. Mentally or legally incapacitated or unable to give informed consent
. MOCA \< or = 24
. Infection of poor skin condition over the scalp where the rTMS device will be positioned
. Pregnancy: Female participants will be tested for pregnancy at baseline and agree to use a medically acceptable form of birth control throughout the study, for women younger than 60.
. Lifetime history of diagnosed bipolar disorder; psychosis, such as schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder; intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder); organic brain damage; or suicide attempts in the past 24 months.
. Severe MDD with suicidality of Psychosis- excluded
. As-needed use of benzodiazepines and beta-blockers will be permitted but discouraged during assessment days.
. Current abuse or dependence on alcohol or any illicit drug of abuse (disorder in last 6 months). Any recent use of cocaine or opiates will also be exclusionary.