Post-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeNCT05705193
Brain-Training Treatment for Long COVID in Older Adults
A study testing NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks) in people with Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, run by UConn Health at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This research is being done to collect preliminary data on the potential of computerized "brain-training" exercises for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that computerized brain-training will be an acceptable and feasible intervention for treating Long COVID symptoms in older… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 39 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2023to 13 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- prior history of COVID-19 based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines including a positive laboratory test (e.g., nucleic acid amplification test) or a positive rapid test
- age ≥ 60 years old
- current self-reported cognitive symptoms persisting after the acute phase of the illness (i.e., >4 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset) that cannot be explained by alternative diagnoses
- evidence of subjective cognitive impairment with a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI) Subscale Score of ≤ 40 and/or endorsing any item on the FACT-Cog PCI Subscale as occurring nearly every day or several times a day
- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) ≥ 27
- fluent in English
- off psychiatric medications or on a stable dose for at least 1 month prior to commencing the study with no intention to change dose prior to completion of the study.
Who cannot join
- history of neurological disorder or other medical condition with potential to impair cognitive functioning or interfere with study participation (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, dementia, head trauma followed by persistent neurological deficits or known structural brain abnormalities)
- prior diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder unrelated to the participant's history of COVID-19
- history of significant psychiatric illness per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar and related disorders, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, personality disorder)
- history of significant neurodevelopmental condition that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder)
- alcohol or other substance use disorder within the past 2 years
- significant sensory or motor impairments (e.g., blindness) that may interfere with the ability to complete neuropsychological measures or engage in the intervention
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Long COVID Symptoms in Older Adults
This research is being done to collect preliminary data on the potential of computerized "brain-training" exercises for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that computerized brain-training will be an acceptable and feasible intervention for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators also expect to provide initial evidence that computerized brain-training has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of everyday functioning in older adults with Long COVID.
Read the detailed description
Some patients who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially older adults, show lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms such as cognitive impairment, brain fog, and depression. These neuropsychiatric symptoms-commonly referred to under the umbrella term "Long COVID"-are debilitating and may last for months or even years after viral infection. The purpose of the present study is to help address this public health crisis by determining whether computerized "brain-training" treatment has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of functioning in older adults with Long COVID. More specifically, the first aim is to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using brain-training treatment in individuals with Long COVID. The second aim is to evaluate for potential efficacy by determining whether brain-training treatment appears to improve cognitive function, mood, and other aspects of daily functioning in Long COVID.
- Conditions
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
- Being tested
- NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks)
- Keywords
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Computerized Cognitive Remediation, Older Adults
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks)Other
The computerized cognitive remediation intervention ("NeuroFlex") consists of a series of gamified tasks (e.g., BrainHQ, Neurogrow, Ultimate Word Master) administered via computer tablet. The intervention provides both "bottom up" training to improve basic processing of sensory stimuli and "top down" training to improve executive functions. Participants will be asked to complete approximately 7.5 hours a week of computer treatment over an approximately 6-week period, for a total of approximately 45 hours of treatment. The treatment will be completed remotely by the participant within their own home or other private location that is most convenient for the participant.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Computerized Cognitive Remediation | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale (TAAS)
Treatment acceptability and adherence as measured by the TAAS Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater treatment acceptability and adherence
Measured: The investigators will evaluate TAAS Total Score at the outset of treatment (expected/anticipated acceptability and adherence) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ)
Treatment credibility and expectancy as measured by the CEQ Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater treatment credibility and expectancy
Measured: The investigators will evaluate CEQ Total Score at the outset of treatment (to assess initial perceptions of treatment credibility) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
System Usability Scale (SUS)
Usability of the intervention as measured by the SUS Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater perceived usability
Measured: The investigators will evaluate SUS Total Score at the outset of treatment (to assess initial perceptions of treatment usability) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
Feasibility (proportion of subjects who agree to participate in the offered treatment, complete assigned exercises, and complete the entire treatment regimen)
Feasibility will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1) at least 80% of eligible subjects offered the treatment agree to participate; 2) subjects will complete at least 80% of assigned treatment exercises; 3) at least 80% of participants who start the treatment will finish it.
Measured: Our feasibility criteria will be assessed by calculating percentages at the conclusion of the study
Secondary outcomes (9)
Trail Making Test Part B
Set-shifting abilities as measured by time to complete the Trail Making Test Part B in seconds; lower scores indicate better set-shifting performance
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in time (seconds) to complete the Trail Making Test Part B at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS)
Depressive symptoms as measured by the Total MADRS Score; lower scores indicate less depressive symptoms
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in Total MADRS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS)
Functional disability as measured by the Total WHODAS Score; lower scores indicate less functional disability
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in Total WHODAS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Everyday Cognition (ECog)
Subjective cognitive concerns as measured by the Total ECog Score; lower scores indicate less subjective cognitive concern
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in Total ECog Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Verbal Fluency
Verbal generativity as measured by the total number of words produced according to pre-specified rules; higher scores indicate better verbal generativity performance
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in total number of words produced at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Stroop Color and Word Test
Inhibitory control as measured by total correct responses on the inhibition condition of the Stroop Test; higher scores indicate better inhibitory control performance
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in total correct responses at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)
Fatigue as measured by the Total FAS Score; lower scores indicate less fatigue
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in total FAS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)
Verbal memory as measured by the total number of words correctly recalled on the long delayed free recall trial; higher scores indicate better episodic memory performance
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in long delayed free recall at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Physical performance as measured by the Total SPPB Score; higher scores indicate better physical performance.
Measured: The investigators will evaluate change in physical performance at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jan 2023
- Study start7 Apr 2023
- Primary completion13 Dec 2025
- Study completion13 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- UConn Health
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Cutter Lindbergh, UConn Health
- Investigators
- Cutter Lindbergh, Ph.D., Principal investigator, UConn Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05705193
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 23-089-2
- Other IDs
- Departmental Funds, P30AG067988
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 14 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Computerized Cognitive Remediation of Long COVID Symptoms in Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05705193
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 23-089-2
- Conditions
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
- Keywords
- Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, Computerized Cognitive Remediation, Older Adults
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- UConn HealthUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 13 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 13 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This research is being done to collect preliminary data on the potential of computerized "brain-training" exercises for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that computerized brain-training will be an acceptable and feasible intervention for treating Long COVID symptoms in older adults. The investigators also expect to provide initial evidence that computerized brain-training has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of everyday functioning in older adults with Long COVID.
Detailed description
Some patients who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially older adults, show lingering neuropsychiatric symptoms such as cognitive impairment, brain fog, and depression. These neuropsychiatric symptoms-commonly referred to under the umbrella term "Long COVID"-are debilitating and may last for months or even years after viral infection. The purpose of the present study is to help address this public health crisis by determining whether computerized "brain-training" treatment has potential for improving thinking, mood, and other aspects of functioning in older adults with Long COVID. More specifically, the first aim is to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using brain-training treatment in individuals with Long COVID. The second aim is to evaluate for potential efficacy by determining whether brain-training treatment appears to improve cognitive function, mood, and other aspects of daily functioning in Long COVID.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Computerized Cognitive Remediation | Experimental | Other: NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- prior history of COVID-19 based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines including a positive laboratory test (e.g., nucleic acid amplification test) or a positive rapid test
- age ≥ 60 years old
- current self-reported cognitive symptoms persisting after the acute phase of the illness (i.e., >4 weeks after COVID-19 symptom onset) that cannot be explained by alternative diagnoses
- evidence of subjective cognitive impairment with a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI) Subscale Score of ≤ 40 and/or endorsing any item on the FACT-Cog PCI Subscale as occurring nearly every day or several times a day
- Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) ≥ 27
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- history of neurological disorder or other medical condition with potential to impair cognitive functioning or interfere with study participation (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, dementia, head trauma followed by persistent neurological deficits or known structural brain abnormalities)
- prior diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder unrelated to the participant's history of COVID-19
- history of significant psychiatric illness per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder, bipolar and related disorders, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, personality disorder)
- history of significant neurodevelopmental condition that may interfere with study participation or confound results (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder)
- alcohol or other substance use disorder within the past 2 years
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks)The computerized cognitive remediation intervention ("NeuroFlex") consists of a series of gamified tasks (e.g., BrainHQ, Neurogrow, Ultimate Word Master) administered via computer tablet. The intervention provides both "bottom up" training to improve basic processing of sensory stimuli and "top down" training to improve executive functions. Participants will be asked to complete approximately 7.5 hours a week of computer treatment over an approximately 6-week period, for a total of approximately 45 hours of treatment. The treatment will be completed remotely by the participant within their own home or other private location that is most convenient for the participant. | Other | Computerized Cognitive Remediation |
Primary outcome
Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale (TAAS)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate TAAS Total Score at the outset of treatment (expected/anticipated acceptability and adherence) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
Treatment acceptability and adherence as measured by the TAAS Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater treatment acceptability and adherence
Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate CEQ Total Score at the outset of treatment (to assess initial perceptions of treatment credibility) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
Treatment credibility and expectancy as measured by the CEQ Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater treatment credibility and expectancy
System Usability Scale (SUS)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate SUS Total Score at the outset of treatment (to assess initial perceptions of treatment usability) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)
Usability of the intervention as measured by the SUS Total Score; higher scores on this self-report measure indicate greater perceived usability
Feasibility (proportion of subjects who agree to participate in the offered treatment, complete assigned exercises, and complete the entire treatment regimen)
Time frame: Our feasibility criteria will be assessed by calculating percentages at the conclusion of the study
Feasibility will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1) at least 80% of eligible subjects offered the treatment agree to participate; 2) subjects will complete at least 80% of assigned treatment exercises; 3) at least 80% of participants who start the treatment will finish it.
9 secondary outcomes
Trail Making Test Part B
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in time (seconds) to complete the Trail Making Test Part B at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in Total MADRS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in Total WHODAS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Everyday Cognition (ECog)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in Total ECog Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Verbal Fluency
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in total number of words produced at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Stroop Color and Word Test
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in total correct responses at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in total FAS Score at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in long delayed free recall at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Time frame: The investigators will evaluate change in physical performance at post-treatment (6 weeks) relative to pre-treatment (baseline)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Cutter Lindbergh, Ph.D. principal investigator
UConn Health
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing NeuroFlex (computerized gamified tasks) in people with Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, run by UConn Health at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale (TAAS) (time frame: The investigators will evaluate TAAS Total Score at the outset of treatment (expected/anticipated acceptability and adherence) and at post-treatment (6 weeks)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Aug 2026.