Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Long COVID Brain Fog and Fatigue (NCT07709234) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Long COVID Brain Fog and Fatigue
20 participantsStarted 2026-09-15
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 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:
* 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.
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* 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.
* Substance abuse, including alcohol or drugs.
* Current oncological treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
* Pregnancy.
* Any medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, may interfere with partici…
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
Change in EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level Questionnaire Score
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention
2
Change in Modified Fatigue Impact Scale Score
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention
3
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention
4
Change in Short Form-36 Health Survey Score
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention
5
Change in Verbal Fluency Task Performance
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention
6
Change in Stroop Test Performance
Timeframe: Baseline and 3 days after completion of the 30-session tDCS intervention