Improving Attention in Individuals With Long COVID-19 (LongCovAtten)

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Long Covid

Treatments: Other: Attention Training; Other: Music Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06503874

90IFDV0033-01-00 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

STU00220499

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No 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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 3 patient groups

Attention Training

Experimental group

Description:

The computer based APT-3 intervention will be delivered in a hybrid model that will combine in-person therapy sessions at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and practice sessions which will be completed remotely. The dosing of each intervention training will be 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks (10 hours total over 4 weeks). The difficulty of the tasks in both interventions will increase progressively as the participants improve in their skills. APT-3 treatment will be administered by a trained and certified speech-language pathologist.

Treatment:

Other: Attention Training

Music Program

Experimental group

Description:

This group will receive an enhanced music experience. They will listen to pre determined music for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks (10 hours total over 4 weeks). This will be delivered in a hybrid model that will combine, in person, remote, and independent sessions, similar to the Attention Training group. Once they complete the music program, they will have the option to complete the Attention Training.

Treatment:

Other: Music Group

Delayed Attention Training

No Intervention group

Description:

This group will not be provided any program for the initial 4 weeks. After they complete the week 5 assessments, they will have the option to complete the Attention Training.