Brain Stimulation in Long COVID (NCT07278206) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Brain Stimulation in Long COVID
Netherlands66 participantsStarted 2025-11-17
Plain-language summary
Cognitive problems and severe fatigue are two frequently occurring symptoms in long COVID, also known as Post-Covid Condition or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), and their causes are currently unknown. Previous studies have shown reduced blood flow and increased inflammation in the brains of people with PASC. These brain processes are related to fatigue and cognitive problems. In other conditions, these disrupted brain processes have been treated safely and successfully with non-invasive brain stimulation. This may offer an effective treatment for people with PASC.
The main goal of this clinical trial is to see whether non-invasive brain stimulation called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce fatigue in adults with PASC who also have trouble concentrating. rTMS uses short magnetic pulses on the scalp to gently stimulate a small brain area.
In this study, 66 adults with PASC will be included, recruited through the Post-COVID Network Netherlands. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS or sham (placebo) rTMS. Sham rTMS feels and looks similar to the active treatment, but it does not generate effective magnetic pulses. The brain area that will be targeted is personalized using a brain scan (MRI) during a planning task. All participants will receive 24 rTMS sessions over six weeks (four per week).
Fatigue will be measured within two weeks before and two weeks after treatment to determine whether active rTMS works better than sham. We will also look at cognition, brain connectivity and blood flow, signs of (neuro)inflammation, daily activity using an activity watch, and questionnaires about quality of life, mood, and sleep. Follow-up on cognition and questionnaires will take place 3 and 6 months after the end of the treatment.
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:
* Meet the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of long COVID.
* Aged 18 years or older.
* Severe fatigue, defined as a score ≥35 on the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) fatigue subscale.
* Significant cognitive complaints, defined as a score ≥18 on the CIS concentration subscale.
* Commitment to actively undergo rTMS
* Ability to attend the study site regularly for treatment sessions.
* Capacity to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior rTMS treatment or current intensive/experimental treatment for long COVID.
* History of epilepsy or first-degree family history of epilepsy.
* Recent initiation or dosage change of psychotropic medication (less than six weeks for psychotropic medication including antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs, less than two weeks for benzodiazepines). Medication doses must remain stable during the study.
* Other active concurrent pharmacological treatments for post-covid symptoms
* Contraindications to MRI scanning (e.g., non-removable metallic implants, severe claustrophobia).
* Presence of a cochlear implant.
* Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or other neurodegenerative conditions.
* Pregnancy.
* Known brain lesions or ischaemic scars influencing seizure threshold.
* Severe uncontrolled migraines.
* Severe cardiovascular disease
* Raised intracranial pressure.
* High alcohol consumption (males/females: 21/14 units per week) or use of epileptogenic drugs.
* Severe sleep depriva…
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
Fatigue
Timeframe: Fatigue will be measured within two weeks before and within two weeks after treatment, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.