What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study involving human participants designed to evaluate medical interventions — such as drugs, devices, or behavioral strategies. Trials follow a structured protocol and are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. They progress through phases: Phase 1 (safety), Phase 2 (efficacy), Phase 3 (large-scale comparison), and Phase 4 (post-market surveillance).

How do I find clinical trials I'm eligible for?

You can search ClinicalTrials.gov or use ClinicalMetric to filter by condition, phase, or location. Each trial listing includes eligibility criteria such as age range, sex, diagnosis, and prior treatment history. Contact the study team directly or ask your physician to refer you to a relevant trial.

Are clinical trials safe to participate in?

Clinical trials are conducted under strict ethical and regulatory oversight, including IRB approval and FDA regulation in the US. All participants must give informed consent after reviewing potential risks and benefits. Phase 1 trials carry more uncertainty, while Phase 3 trials involve interventions with an established safety profile. Participation is always voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

What are the phases of clinical trials?

Clinical trials progress through four main phases. Phase 1 tests safety and dosing in a small group (20–80 people). Phase 2 evaluates efficacy and side effects in a larger group (100–300). Phase 3 compares the intervention against standard treatments in thousands of participants. Phase 4 occurs after approval and monitors long-term effects in the general population.

Do participants get paid for joining clinical trials?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for time and travel expenses, though payment structures vary widely by study. Compensation is not intended to be coercive. Some trials also cover treatment costs for participants. Always review the consent form carefully and ask the study coordinator about any financial considerations before enrolling.

Long COVID Clinical Trials 2026: RECOVER Program & Available Treatments

Medical Notice

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial eligibility and availability vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions or considering participation in a clinical trial.

Summary

An estimated 65 million people worldwide live with Long COVID — persistent symptoms lasting months or years after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The NIH RECOVER program is running the world's largest coordinated Long COVID clinical trial effort, with 8 randomized controlled trials testing 13 treatments. This guide explains what's being tested, who qualifies, and how to get involved.

What Is Long COVID?

Long COVID (also called Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, or PASC) refers to symptoms that persist or emerge weeks to months after acute COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms include fatigue, post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity), cognitive dysfunction ("brain fog"), shortness of breath, and sleep disturbances.

Long COVID affects people regardless of initial COVID severity — including those with mild acute illness. Proposed biological mechanisms include viral persistence, immune dysregulation, autoantibodies, microbiome disruption, and mitochondrial dysfunction. No single mechanism explains all cases, which is why multiple different treatment approaches are being studied simultaneously.

The RECOVER Program

RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery) is an NIH initiative launched in 2021 with over $1.15 billion in funding. It encompasses observational studies, biorepositories, and most importantly, a master protocol for randomized clinical trials — meaning multiple treatments are being tested under one coordinated framework.

RECOVER Phase 2 trials are testing:

Ensitrelvir (antiviral): Targeting viral persistence as a driver of ongoing symptoms
Baricitinib (JAK inhibitor): Targeting immune dysregulation and inflammation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): For cognitive symptoms and brain fog
CPAP/oxygen therapy: For sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction
Mindfulness-based stress reduction: For fatigue and quality of life
Low-histamine diet and mast cell stabilizers: For suspected mast cell activation component

Other Active Long COVID Trials

Beyond RECOVER, hundreds of independent trials are testing: low-dose naltrexone, BC007 (autoantibody neutralizer), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, stellate ganglion block, paxlovid extended courses, and various anti-inflammatory approaches. The field is moving rapidly, with new results published monthly.

Who Qualifies for Long COVID Trials?

General eligibility for most Long COVID trials includes:

Prior confirmed or probable SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR, antigen, or serology)
Persistent symptoms for at least 12 weeks after acute infection
Symptom onset after a defined date (varies; often after March 2020)
Specific symptom profiles (e.g., fatigue-predominant, cognitive-predominant, or dyspnea-predominant for certain trials)
Not currently taking immunosuppressants (for some trials)

Exclusion criteria commonly include: active serious infection, severe organ dysfunction, pregnancy, and certain psychiatric conditions. Prior COVID vaccination status is noted but not generally an exclusion criterion.

How to Enroll in the RECOVER Trials

RECOVER trials are conducted at dozens of sites across the United States. The RECOVER website (recovercovid.org) has a site finder tool. Patient advocacy organizations like Body Politic, Long COVID Alliance, and Survivor Corps maintain updated lists of open trials and provide peer support for people navigating enrollment.

Telehealth-enabled and decentralized trial options are available for some RECOVER sub-studies, reducing the burden of travel for people with post-exertional malaise who cannot easily attend in-person visits.