A Pilot rTMS Trial for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Long-COVID

NCT ID: NCT06586398

Last Updated: 2026-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 10 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-06-15

Brief Summary

This is a pilot randomized trial of rTMS for symptoms of fatigue and brain fog, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms of Long-COVID (Post-COVID, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection, PASC). Twenty participants diagnosed with Long-COVID and recruited from the UCLA Long-COVID clinic will be randomized to receive active rTMS versus sham stimulation for 15 treatments followed by another 15 open-label rTMS treatments. Investigators will compare the safety and tolerability of rTMS vs Sham and examine within-group changes in symptoms of fatigue, sleep, pain, mood, and subjective and objective cognitive impairment. This project will provide information and pilot data for future larger clinical trials.

Conditions

Long Covid-19; PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID 19; Brain Fog; Fatigue

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

active rTMS

The rTMS magnet will be set to active stimulation without the knowledge of treating doctors or research team. Only one technician will know the randomization list assignment and will adjust the settings. rTMS treatment will include rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), followed by rTMS to left primary motor cortex (M1).

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

rTMS

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Participants will be randomized to 15 sessions of double-blind multi-target rTMS treatment (active vs sham) and then will receive only open-label active stimulation for another 15 sessions. Each session will include rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), followed by rTMS to left primary motor cortex (M1).

Sham rTMS

The rTMS magnet will be set to sham stimulation without the knowledge of the treating doctors or the research team.

Group Type: SHAM_COMPARATOR

rTMS

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Participants will be randomized to 15 sessions of double-blind multi-target rTMS treatment (active vs sham) and then will receive only open-label active stimulation for another 15 sessions. Each session will include rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), followed by rTMS to left primary motor cortex (M1).

Interventions

rTMS

Participants will be randomized to 15 sessions of double-blind multi-target rTMS treatment (active vs sham) and then will receive only open-label active stimulation for another 15 sessions. Each session will include rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), followed by rTMS to left primary motor cortex (M1).

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Eligibility Criteria

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.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of California, Los Angeles

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Helen Lavretsky, MD

professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Helen Lavretsky, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, Los Angeles

Locations

UCLA Semel Institute

Los Angeles, California, United States

Countries

United States

Other Identifiers

24-000555

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id