NCT06095297 Long COVID Brain Fog: Cognitive Rehabilitation Trial
| NCT ID | NCT06095297 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| Condition | Long COVID |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-04-25 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 30 participants in total. It began in 2024-04-25 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
This study will compare two approaches to cognitive rehabilitation in adults with long COVID with persistent, mild to moderate, cognitive impairment. One approach will feature (A) web-based computer "games" that trains how quickly individuals process information that they receive through their senses; (B) in-lab training on everyday activities with important cognitive components, (C) procedures designed to transfer improvements in cognition from the treatment setting to everyday life, and (D) a non-invasive form of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), i.e., trans-auricular VNS (taVNS). Component B will include work-related tasks. This approach is termed Constraint-Induced Cognitive Therapy (CICT). The other approach will feature (A) web-based computer "games" that train reaction time and eye-hand coordination; (B) in-lab training on relaxation, healthy nutrition, and healthy sleep, (C) procedures designed to promote integration of these lifestyle changes into everyday life, and (D) taVNS. This approach is termed Brain Fitness Training (BFT). A subset of participants, who qualify for and and desire vocational rehabilitation (VR), will receive VR from the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) in addition to CICT or BFT. ADRS VR will include career counseling, prescription of on-the-job accommodations, and guidance on return-to-work. Those in the CICT + VR group will also receive on-the-job coaching from a peer mentor for a month after completing training. CICT, with or without VR, will involve 30 hours of training. Ten 3-hour in-lab, face-to-face, therapist-directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature one hour of gaming; the remainder will be committed to in-lab training on the target behaviors and the procedures designed to promote transfer of therapeutic gains to daily life and improving skills essential to work; the set of the latter procedures is termed the Transfer Package. ta-VNS will administered for 10 minutes before gaming and in-lab target behavior training. To accommodate the demands of participants' other activities, training sessions will be permitted to be scheduled as tightly as every weekday over 2 weeks or as loosely as every other weekday or so over 4 weeks. If a family caregiver is available, they will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. After training ends, four follow-up phone calls will be scheduled approximately one-week apart with participants to promote integration of the skills gained during training into everyday life. BFT, with or without VR, will involve 30 hours of training following the same schedule as for CICT. Ten 3-hour in-lab, face-to-face, therapist-directed sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will feature one hour of gaming; the remainder will be committed to in-lab training on the target behaviors (healthy sleep, nutrition and relaxation habits) and the procedures designed to promote transfer of behavior change to daily life. ta-VNS will be administered for 10 minutes before gaming and in-lab target behavior training. If a family caregiver is available, they will receive training on how to best support participants in their therapeutic program. After training ends, four follow-up phone calls will be scheduled approximately one-week apart with participants to promote integration of the skills gained during training into everyday life. Participants will be randomly assigned to the interventions. Randomization will be stratified by whether participants qualify for and desire VR from ADRS or not. If yes, participants will be randomized in equal numbers to CICT + VR or BFT + VR. If no, participants will be randomized in equal numbers to CICT or BFT. Testing will happen one month before treatment, one day before treatment, one day afterwards, and 6-months afterwards. Outcomes measured will include cognitive processing speed, cognitive function on laboratory tests, and spontaneous performance of everyday activities with important cognitive components in daily life. Another important outcome measure will be whether or not participants were able to return back to work or had significant improvements in their work activities.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * \>3 months post COVID * mild or greater cognitive impairment * moderate or greater brain fog * impairment in performance of daily activities * reside in community * reliable transportation to lab * sufficiently mentally and physically fit * adequate sight and hearing * ability to follow directions, and retain information * sufficient English proficiency Exclusion Criteria: * cognitive impairment due to developmental disability, psychiatric disorder, or substance abuse, TBI or progressive brain disease * stroke prior to the onset of COVID * current substance abuse disorder * prior cognitive processing speed training on DoubleDecision or similar program * cannot tolerate trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation
Contact & Investigator
Gitendra Uswatte, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Professor of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06095297 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Long COVID. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06095297 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06095297 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at mgrathz@uab.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06095297 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Birmingham, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06095297 clinical trial?
NCT06095297 is sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham. The principal investigator is Gitendra Uswatte, PhD at Professor of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. The trial plans to enroll 30 participants.
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