New study tests brain games and nerve zap to clear long COVID fog and get people back to work
NCT ID NCT06095297
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two cognitive rehab programs for adults with long COVID who have mild to moderate brain fog. Both programs include computer games, in-lab training, and a mild nerve stimulation device worn on the ear. One group focuses on processing speed and work-related tasks, the other on relaxation and healthy habits. Researchers will measure thinking speed, daily function, and whether participants can return to work. The study is small (30 people) and results are expected to show if this approach is worth testing in larger trials.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- trans-auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a practical, non-drug approach to reduce brain fog and help people with long COVID return to work.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 30 participants. The results may not apply to everyone with long COVID, and the benefits may be modest.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
RECRUITINGBirmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States
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