A Pilot rTMS Trial for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Long-COVID

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Long Covid-19, PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID 19, Brain Fog, Fatigue

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06586398
Run by: University of California, Los Angeles
People needed: 10
Starts: 2025-01-01
Expected to finish: 2026-03-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-07-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

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

You may not qualify if…

Mentally or legally incapacitated or unable to give informed consent
MOCA < or = 24
Infection of poor skin condition over the scalp where the rTMS device will be positioned
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.
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.
Severe MDD with suicidality of Psychosis- excluded
As-needed use of benzodiazepines and beta-blockers will be permitted but discouraged during assessment days.
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.
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)
Taking medications known to lower seizure thresholds (Clozaril/ Wellbutrin)
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.
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 is running

UCLA Semel Institute — Los Angeles, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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