Fatigue – severe and persistent exhaustion – can significantly affect the daily lives of people with Long COVID. A study at REHAB Basel is investigating whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can alleviate these symptoms.
During tDCS, neural networks in the brain are stimulated using a weak electrical current of 2 milliamperes. The procedure is non-invasive, painless and fully reversible. It has already been well studied, particularly in relation to depression.
The researchers aim to determine whether four weeks of stimulation can improve participants’ fatigue, quality of life and mood. The study will examine whether the treatment is effective and, if so, to what extent.
Who can participate?
Participants must meet all of the following criteria:
- aged 18 years or older
- a post-COVID diagnosis made no more than 24 months ago
- severe fatigue, with a total score of at least 5 on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)
- no or only mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, with a total score below 22 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
- a stable medication regimen at the start of and throughout the study
- a signed informed consent form
The stimulation is designed as an at-home treatment using the FLOW device. However, the related study visits must take place in person at REHAB Basel and cannot be conducted online.
Further information is available in the official Swiss trial registry under HumRes67789.
