None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Long-COVID is characterized by symptoms including sleep dysfunction, fatigue, depression, anxiety, anosmia, memory problems, confusional states and others. There is substantial evidence that impaired circadian function contributes to the development of these symptoms. On this basis, a novel approach to treating these symptoms may well be implemented by presenting intense light at a critical time during the light/dark cycle as is achieved with disorders such as season affective disorder (SAD) and Parkinson’s disease. It is hypothesized that this would realign circadian phase and thereby mediating remission in many symptoms of Long-COVID. In view of the breadth of symptoms shared by Long-COVID and prodromal PD alike, we predict that that LT has the potential of providing valuable therapeutic intervention for Long-COVID. While any preliminary results obtained from this case series study will need verification in a controlled trial with a larger sample, this work may provide prima facia evidence that both Long-COVID and PD share a common neuropathological element. This work sets the stage for the expedient development of minimally invasive, effective strategy for treating Long-COVID.
Interventions
The intervention involves exposure to polychromatic light (Light Therapy) emitted from a medical device specifically designed to treat the insomnia, depression and fatigue of Long-COVID. As is the case for treatment of other disorders with these symptoms (such as Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD), patients will be treated for 30 minutes to 1 hour per day with a measure amount of light at 3,000 to 5,000 LUX. Patients will be monitored and assessed during face to face or telehealth consultations o
The intervention involves exposure to polychromatic light (Light Therapy) emitted from a medical device specifically designed to treat the insomnia, depression and fatigue of Long-COVID. As is the case for treatment of other disorders with these symptoms (such as Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD), patients will be treated for 30 minutes to 1 hour per day with a measure amount of light at 3,000 to 5,000 LUX. Patients will be monitored and assessed during face to face or telehealth consultations on a regularly scheduled basis. This is to ensure that the light is delivered to optimize phototransduction and to maximize the therapeutic effect. The duration of treatment will up to 3 months but may be terminated earlier (no less than 1 month) if a therapeutic effect is observed. The treatment will be delivered by a clinician with over 30 years of experience in treating sleep and psychiatric disorders using this methodology. The patient will be thoroughly briefed and monitored to ensure the light is delivered at the right time in the circadian cycle. The device will be used at home and ongoing device use will be monitored to ensure compliance. The Chief Investigator will be in contact with other health professionals to ensure treatment is compatible with other ongoing treatments. Treatments will be delivered daily at the critical time in the circadian cycle and patients will be monitored/assessed every week to week and a half.
Sponsors
The Bronowski Institute of Behavioural Neuroscience
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Any patient diagnosed with Long-COVID by a qualified medical practitioner is eligible. Being an early exploratory trial, we are examining the generalizability of any therapeutic effect to the general diagnosis of the condition of Long-COVID.
Exclusion criteria
Nil
Outcome results
None listed