Cognitive training to help Veterans with lingering COVID-19 brain symptoms
Official title: Cognitive rehabilitation to improve functioning in Veterans following COVID-19
Funded at VA San Diego Healthcare System · NIH-11317082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot study will test a remote cognitive training program to help Veterans who have long-COVID brain problems improve daily functioning and thinking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX004764-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with prolonged post-COVID cognitive symptoms and related functional difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience meaningful improvements and could experience the time commitment of training without benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on Veterans experiencing lingering COVID-19 symptoms that affect memory, attention, and daily activities. It will compare Compensatory Cognitive Training for post-COVID symptoms with a control program called Holistic Cognitive Education, delivered remotely. Researchers will measure feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on everyday functioning and cognition to guide future larger trials. The study is conducted at VA San Diego Health Care System with 70 participants randomly assigned to the two programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience better thinking skills and improved ability to handle daily tasks, potentially improving quality of life and return-to-work readiness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in Veterans suggest that compensatory cognitive training can be feasible and beneficial for cognitive dysfunction.
Where this research is happening
-
VA San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Austin, Tara — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Austin, Tara
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.