Using rTMS to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms of Long-COVID

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot trial investigates the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on neuropsychiatric symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog in individuals diagnosed with Long-COVID. Twenty participants will be recruited from the UCLA Long-COVID clinic and randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS or sham stimulation over 15 sessions, followed by an additional 15 open-label rTMS treatments. The study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of rTMS in alleviating symptoms related to Long-COVID, providing foundational data for future larger trials.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18+ years of age
2. Prior hx of PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. Determined by the PI or participant's physician.
3. Subsequent development of post-acute neuropsychiatric symptoms with fatigue and brain fog as primary outcomes
4. USE of Psychotropic medications
5. Stable on psychotropic medications for 4+ months
6. Confirmed diagnosis of Long COVID
7. Subjects are willing and able to adhere to the treatment schedule and required study visits

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Mentally or legally incapacitated or unable to give informed consent
2. MOCA \< or = 24
3. Infection of poor skin condition over the scalp where the rTMS device will be positioned
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Severe MDD with suicidality of Psychosis- excluded
7. As-needed use of benzodiazepines and beta-blockers will be permitted but discouraged during assessment days.
8. 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.
9. Participants with asthma or with a history of serious, uncontrolled medical illness or instability (including significant cardio-pulmonary disease, organic brain including significant cardio-pulmonary syndrome, pre-existing dementia, seizure disorder, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes)
10. Taking medications known to lower seizure thresholds (Clozaril/ Wellbutrin)
11. Neurological conditions that include epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, increased intracranial pressure, having a history of repetitive or severe head trauma, or primary or secondary tumors in the central nervous system.
12. Presence of an implanted metallic and magnetic-sensitive medical device present in the body scan, including but not limited to a cochlear implant, infusion pump, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, pacemaker, vagus nerve stimulator, aneurysm clip, metal prosthesis, or metal aneurysm clips or coils, staples, or stents.

Where it's running

• UCLA Semel Institute
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Helen Lavretsky, MD — University of California, Los Angeles
• Study coordinator: Helen Lavretsky, MD
• Email: hlavretsky@mednet.ucla.edu
• Phone: (310) 794-4619

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• What in the brain causes fatigue after COVID-19

  This project will see what's happening in the brains of adults with long COVID who have ongoing fatigue or brain fog to find targets for treatment.

  Recruiting Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc. · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT07278388

• Rehabilitation program to reduce fatigue after COVID-19

  This study is testing a new rehabilitation program called COVIDEx to see if it can help people with Long COVID feel less tired compared to standard care.

  Recruiting London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's · London, Ontario · NCT06156176

• Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2

  Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Sheffield, South Yorkshire · NCT07914647

• Micro-choice-based approach to fatigue management

  A small study in Basel will test a new four-day group program using micro-choices to help people with fatigue from multiple causes see if it’s doable, acceptable, and may help daily functioning.

  Recruiting University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Basel · NCT07726082

• HBS-301 for Narcolepsy: daily wakefulness and sleepiness improvement in adults

  This Phase 3 study tests HBS-301 vs placebo in adults with narcolepsy to see if it helps with daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleepiness, and fatigue.

  Recruiting at 29 sites Phase 3 Harmony Biosciences Management, Inc. · Birmingham, Alabama and 52 other locations · NCT07675135

• See if Nuvastatic helps with cancer-related fatigue in colon cancer patients on first-line chemotherapy

  This trial tests whether Nuvastatic can lessen fatigue in adults with colon cancer who are receiving their first round of chemotherapy, compared to placebo.

  Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 3 Natureceuticals Sdn Bhd · Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh and 5 other locations · NCT07669519

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.