Clinical Research Directory

Basel Long COVID-19 Cohort Study and Digital Long COVID Substudy

The Basel Long COVID Cohort Study (BALCoS) is a registry-based cohort study that focuses on the patients' present health status, symptoms, the course of these symptoms, and potential mechanisms involved. The project aims to investigate proposed mechanisms behind Post COVID-19 condition (PCC), including a) autoimmunity, b) chronic inflammation, c) genetics, d) coagulation disorders, and e) psychosocial factors. Patients in the cohort can also join the Digital Long COVID Study (DiLCoS), a single-arm, cohort-based proof-of-feasibility study that is part of the larger BALCoS. DiLCoS is a intervention substudy designed to evaluate whether doing exercises delivered via a smartphone app (referred as digital intervention) can help with PCC. The digital intervention is a 12-week program that includes different kinds of exercises like breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and tips on managing fatigue and other symptoms. It also teaches patients how to monitor their activities and energy levels, and provides psychological exercises to cope with negative thoughts and pain. Patients in the cohort complete a set of assessments that include the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data, biomarkers, neurocognitive testing, psychometric questionnaires, and measures of physical performance, and provide consent that their data from routine clinical care can be used for the study.

Brain Stimulation in Long COVID

Cognitive problems and severe fatigue are two frequently occurring symptoms in long COVID, also known as Post-Covid Condition or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), and their causes are currently unknown. Previous studies have shown reduced blood flow and increased inflammation in the brains of people with PASC. These brain processes are related to fatigue and cognitive problems. In other conditions, these disrupted brain processes have been treated safely and successfully with non-invasive brain stimulation. This may offer an effective treatment for people with PASC. The main goal of this clinical trial is to see whether non-invasive brain stimulation called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce fatigue in adults with PASC who also have trouble concentrating. rTMS uses short magnetic pulses on the scalp to gently stimulate a small brain area. In this study, 66 adults with PASC will be included, recruited through the Post-COVID Network Netherlands. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS or sham (placebo) rTMS. Sham rTMS feels and looks similar to the active treatment, but it does not generate effective magnetic pulses. The brain area that will be targeted is personalized using a brain scan (MRI) during a planning task. All participants will receive 24 rTMS sessions over six weeks (four per week). Fatigue will be measured within two weeks before and two weeks after treatment to determine whether active rTMS works better than sham. We will also look at cognition, brain connectivity and blood flow, signs of (neuro)inflammation, daily activity using an activity watch, and questionnaires about quality of life, mood, and sleep. Follow-up on cognition and questionnaires will take place 3 and 6 months after the end of the treatment.

Effects of Kneipp Hydrotherapy in Post-COVID-19 Patients

This randomized controlled study evaluates the effects of cold water hydrotherapy in patients with Post-COVID Syndrome. The primary aim is to assess changes in quality of life compared to an usual care setting without hydrotherapy treatment.

Dysfunctional Breathing in Post COVID-19 Condition.

The goal of this observational study with a cross-sectional design is to investigate what signs, symptoms and assessment which can describe and explain dysfunctional breathing in patients with post COVID-19 condition. The main question aims to answer which measurements can identify and asses dysfunctional breathing in patients with post COVID-19 condition? Participants for this study will be recruited from the ReCov cohort will be evaluated with diffrent measurments and questionnaires.