Improving Attention in Individuals With Long COVID-19

Intensive Attention Training to Treat Brain Fog in Individuals With Long-Covid

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT06503874

Acronym

LongCovAtten

Enrollment

Registered

2024-07-16

Start date

2024-03-22

Completion date

2026-03-13

Last updated

2026-04-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Long Covid

Keywords

COVID-19, Brain Fog

Brief summary

This study is to find out if the Attention Processing Training program is a potential treatment for brain fog symptoms, reported by people with Long-Covid. Also investigating the feasibility of completing this program virtually.

Detailed description

The goal of this project is to test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of an attention training intervention (Attention Process Training; APT-3) as a potential treatment for brain fog symptoms experienced by people with Long-Covid. There already is good empirical evidence to support the idea that the APT-3 treatment is feasible and effective in improving attention in people with acquired brain injuries, but information about its efficacy and acceptability in people with Long-Covid brain fog is lacking.

Interventions

OTHERAttention Training

The APT-3 is an evidence-based, standardized computer-based training program that was designed to improve attention skills that underlie higher level cognitive processes (e.g., executive functions and memory).

OTHERMusic Group

This group will listen to a pre-determined playlist of music following the same dosing as the attention training group as stated in the arms.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

First, participants will complete the pre-treatment assessment. Participants then will be randomized to either immediate APT-3 group, delayed APT or Music activity group. The interventions (APT-3 or Music activity) will last 4 weeks. At the end of the intervention participants will undergo another assessment battery, and once again at 1-month post intervention follow-up. Following the maintenance assessment, participants from the Music activity group will have the option to receive the APT-3 intervention. If they accept, they will undergo another assessment battery at the end of the 4-week intervention. Participants from the delayed APT-3 group will undergo the week 5 assessment and will then be offered to enroll in the APT-3 training. If they accept, they will undergo another assessment battery at the end of the 4-week intervention.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 75 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Aged 18-65 years. Live in the Chicagoland area * A history of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. * Subjective reports of cognitive symptoms that interfere with everyday activities, starting on or shortly after SARS-CoV-2 infection. * Continuation or development of Long-Covid brain fog 3 months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, with these symptoms lasting for at least 2 months with no other explanation. * Objective attentional deficits as measured by the Conners CPT-312, and/or the Digit Span subtest (WAIS- III13). * Able to use a keyboard. * Able to understand and communicate in English. * Able to consent independently.

Exclusion criteria

* Being hospitalized due to COVID-19 diagnosis for more than 3 days. * Pre-morbid neurological conditions that could potentially affect cognition, such as Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Dementia, acquired brain injury. * Severe depression. * Currently enrolled in cognitive training or physical exercise training. * Receiving chemotherapy or radiation within last 6 months. * Active substance abuse.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Number of participants who successfully completed at least 80% of the study tasks sessions	2 years	Recording the number of participants who completed at least 80% of the study sessions out of the number of all participants who enrolled in the study.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change of scores in objective attention tests (i.e, CPT 3), pre- and post -intervention	2 year	The Conners Continuous Performance Test Third Edition™ (Conners CPT 3™)

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORShira Cohen-Zimerman, PhD

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORElliot Roth, MD