Long-COVID fatigue linked to brain fog and weakness in new study
NCT ID NCT05758558
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study examined 69 adults with Long-COVID to see how different levels of fatigue relate to their thinking, mood, and physical abilities. Participants completed tests of hand strength, walking distance, memory, and anxiety. The goal was to identify patient subgroups to better tailor future care. No treatment or intervention was given.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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69 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2023
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Participants that match the criteria of the recently published definition of the post-COVID-19 condition will be considered eligible to participate in the study.\[8\] Post-COVID-19 has been defined as a condition that occurs in individuals with a history of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that occurs usually within three months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Consequently, participants that either have or have not been hospitalized will both be allowed to participate in this study. COVID infection will be self-reported by the participant. Participants will be encouraged to show any test certificate but they are not obligated to do so.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: The participant must report current persisting symptoms (such as brain fog, anxiety, shortness of breath, headaches but also others) and indicate on the Post COVID-19 Functional Status Scale that these have an impact on everyday functioning (grade 2, 3, and 4). These symptoms need to be present for more than two months. Further inclusion criteria are: * Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score \> 4 * Aged over 18 years old * Willing to sign the digital informed consent * Dutch speaking and Dutch understanding * Be tested positive for COVID-19, i.e. by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), computed tomography (CT) of the lungs, or symptom-based diagnosis by the general practitioner. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women * Pacemaker, defibrillator * Brain or nerve disorders * Epilepsy * A copper spiral or recent bone fracture
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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
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Hasselt University
Diepenbeek, 3590, Belgium
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Five years on: how does long COVID evolve?
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- Can brain training zap long COVID brain fog?
- Can tailored exercise help tame racing heart and fatigue after COVID?